Oh man. Where do I start when it comes to the wines of Friuli. This is one of the most criminally underrepresented and relatively unknown wine regions in the entire world and that’s not an exaggeration. Tucked in the top Northeastern corner of Italy, this region is bordered by Austria to the North and Slovenia to the East, making the people of this land a distinctly complex blend of cultures, and this is reflected in the wines. Complexity, while beautiful and precious to those that view wine as a lifetime journey, is often overwhelming to most consumers. Within the sub-DOC of Friuli Isonzo alone there are 17+ permitted grape varietals that can end up in the final bottle. The microclimate created by the influences of the Alps and the Adriatic is perfect for the development of exotic white wines that taste like nothing else.
Isonzo is ruled by the producer we’re featuring for you today: Vie di Romans. The Gallo family (not the same as the California one) has a history with wine that dates back over a century and three generations. Gianfranco has managed the estate since 1978 and taken it to dramatically high levels of quality with a focus on vineyard expression and precise winemaking practices. The 57 hectares of vineyards have soil rich in alluvial fans and minerals carried there by glaciers and a daily diurnal temperature shift that creates ample freshness for the grapes.
Describing Gianfranco’s wines and those of Friuli broadly is a dazzlingly difficult task. In no other white wines do I encounter so much spice (think ginger, sumac) and lavish fruit expressions like candied nectarine, lemon curd, and tropical citrus. The common denominator is bold flavor combined with elegant acidity. These wines are built to entertain and steal the attention of those that drink them; you simply cannot stop putting your nose in the glass. In addition I think they’re the perfect transition wine for people that love Sauvignon Blanc (Vie di Romans makes that too) and Pinot Grigio, but are ready to drink something more challenging and unforgettable.
We’ve got these wines on sale for a short time and at highly attractive pricing. Don’t let your holiday guests go another year without learning something new about wine and the beautifully diverse corners of Italy.
In Stock and On Sale Now from Vie di Romans: Vie di Romans Chardonnay Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinous 94 points “The 2022 Chardonnay mixes richness with energy and savory with sweetness, as crushed yellow apples and gingery spice combine with minty herbs and wet stone. This is soothingly round and enveloping, quite textural, with waves of ripe
green melon and mineral-tinged apricots coasting across a stream of zesty acidity. The 2022 nishes youthfully tense, structured and spicy, with hints of baked pear and cardamom that resonate. While a bit backward today, the potential here is o the charts. Vie di Romans has decided to begin holding back their wines longer in the cellar to allow them to develop further before release, and I think this is a perfect example of how insightful that decision was.”
Wine Advocate 93 points “With nine months of élevage on the lees in barrique, the 2022 Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay Vie di Romans is a generous white with plenty of fruit weight. Prominent aromas of ripe peach and orchard fruit steal the show, but there are sweet notes of calla lily and hibiscus. There is even a savory hint of lavender, but the wine ends on a decidedly sweet note with a 14.5% alcohol content. Both attest to the hot 2022 growing season. This is an ample production of 66,500 bottles.”
Vie di Romans Chardonnay Caimpagnis Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2022 750ml Displayed Price: $39.50 special, that’s $37.53 at 5% off and $35.55 at 10% off, 36+ bottles in stock now
Vinous 93 points “The 2022 Chardonnay Ciampagnis is a seductress, tempting the imagination with a beguiling array of crushed nectarines infused with tropical citrus, hints of curry leaves and sweet, sweet spice. It impresses further with a balance of contrasts, mixing tart orchard fruits and notes of green citrus with cooling acidity and a ourish of apricot toward the close. Incredibly fresh and
dramatically long, the Ciampagnis nishes with staining length and gently tannic, leaving a pleasantly tart sensation that lingers.”
Vie di Romans Dolée Friulano Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml Displayed Price:$44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2021 Friulano Dolée is exotically spiced and vibrant in the glass, with an intense burst of lemon meringue complemented by sweet mint and crystallized ginger. Silky and supple on the palate, this boasts ultra-ripe citrus and orchard fruits balanced by stimulating acidity. This nishes with outstanding length and is spicy with lingering tropical melon notes. While the 2021 comes across as sweet, it’s just a trick of the acidity and fruit, as this nished at only 1.2 grams of residual sugar.”
Vie di Romans Flors di Uis Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $41.90 special, that’s $37.71 at 5% off and $33.94 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinous 93 points “Understated yet beautifully rened, the 2022 Bianco Flors di Uis keeps the taster coming back to the glass with its pretty blend of lime sorbet, chamomile, spring owers and white smoke. It ows across the palate with a sensation of liquid stone and minerals, elevated by lively acidity as a core of candied lemon is contrasted by tart green apple fruit. The 2022 nishes with a lingering
concentration and tart citrus pith bitterness, yet through it all, the mouth is left salivating for more. Readers may have a hard time keeping their hands o in its youth, yet I advise patience. This Flors di Uis is still just a baby in its development and has bloomed beautifully with further bottle age. A fantastic showing. This is a blend of 55% Malvasia Istriana, 31% Rhein Riesling and 14% Friulano.”
Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc Piere Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml Displayed Price: $49 special, that’s $46.55 at 5% off and $44.10 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Piere is a spice bomb, holding my attention firm with a blast of ground ginger, cardamom, flint stone and curry before arriving at dried nectarines. It’s luxuriously silky yet lifted in style, with cooling minerality and acidity that motivates its floral-laced green citrus and melon tones. For all of its intensity, the 2021 finishes crisp and with a classically dry feel, as savory herbal tones resonate on. There is so much pleasure in this upfront, fruitfocused, yet truly seductive Sauvignon. “
Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc Piere Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2022 750ml Displayed Price:$44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinous 92 points “The 2022 Sauvignon Blanc Piere is wildly fresh, with a vivid blend of crushed nectarines and lime zest complemented by hints of rosemary and crushed stone. It’s silky smooth yet full of zesty tension, with masses of mineral-drenched green apples and hints of spice propelled by vibrant acidity. The 2022 leaves the palate staining in primary concentration, youthfully intense and gently tannic, leaving a spicy sensation that lingers on and on. The balance here is otherworldly, as is its drinkability factor.”
Vie di Romans Sauvignon Blanc Vieris Friuli Isonzo, Friuli-Venezia Giulia 2021 750ml Displayed Price:$44.50 special, that’s $42.28 at 5% off and $40.05 at 10% off, 36 bottles in stock now
Vinous 94+ points “The 2021 Sauvignon Blanc Vieris opens slowly in the glass, holding back in its youthful state, with hints of lemon oil, rosemary and wet stone accentuated by sweet spice. This is seamlessly silky, almost oily in feel, with sapid yellow citrus
and savory herbal tones enriched by vibrant acidity. It nishes potent and spicy, leaving the palate saturated in an intense staining of primary concentration. The potential here is o the charts, but today, the Vieris is one of the most backward wines out of the 2021 portfolio.”
Wine Advocate 94 points “This is a beautifully expressive wine that benefits from lees aging in oak barrel. The Vie di Romans 2021 Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon Blanc Vieris (with 35,200 bottles released) has floral tones, plumeria, a touch of white pepper and ashy mineral notes. The Vieris shows less of the jalapeño that I got in the zesty Piere rendition of this same grape. This wine also offers some elegant petroleum-like hints that add to the overall complexity.”
Vie di Romans Vineyards in Friuli Isonzo