euro trip: destination italy 🇮🇹

friuli, in the northeast corner of italy on the slovenian border, is a top (if not the top) region for white wine production in italy. giampaolo venica, a 3rd generation producer, is considered a top producer in the region, and is known for textural and highly aromatic whites that see little or no wood. giampaolo and his family believe their traditions must be enhanced through continuous research and innovation, but a relationship with nature is of utmost importance.  the wine is made from friulano, a name that underlies the strong connection to the area of friuli. it was formerly called “tocai,” but too often became confused with the tokaji grape of hungary, and so in 2008 the european community (hungary and italy) came to an agreement to ban the use of ‘tocai’ in italy. this is a fuller bodied white (think chardonnay adjacent but without oak) with almond notes and a long mineral persistence. 

colterenzio is a high quality and relatively new co-op in alto-adige – ‘new’ because it was started in 1960, and 60 years is young in this ancient wine producing region that has always been a moving border between italian and german speaking people. this alpine red takes its name from the vineyard where the grapes are grown and is made with 100% schiava. schiava is a pinot noir adjacent grape variety native to this area and the name comes from the latin word sclavus or the italian word schiavo, which means ‘slave’ – a reference to the vines being ‘enslaved’ by being tied to poles. i’s light, aromatic and tangy with wild berries and savory minerals. 

the 13th century ormanni estate is located right in the heart of chianti. proof of the incredible heritage of this tuscan property can be found in dante alighieri’s “divina commedia”, where the ormanni family is mentioned. for the last 200 years the estate has been owned by the brini batacchi family, and today paolo brini batacchi and his daughter paola run the winery. this 100% canaiolo nero is vinified in thermoregulated steel tanks and then aged in used barriques and large barrels for at least 12 months. it’s fresh and agile with floral, red fruit and herbal nots and silky tannins.

alberto graci abandoned his life as a banker to follow his passion for wine in sicily's etna region - a place he says ‘balances elegance and rusticity.’ from the northern volcanic slopes of mount etna, where winemaking goes back thousands of years, graci applies organic methods int the vineyard and minimal intervention in the cellar. as for the volcano itself, alberto barely gives it a second thought. 'lava? we are fatalists. we don’t care. it’s normal for us'. this 100% nerello mascalese macerates for a 30 days in tank before aging in concrete vats for 18 months.  it’s medium bodied with red fruit, floral and crushed stone notes and some yummy grippy tannins.