Zuani Vigne 2012

Zuani 2012 Vigne, Collio | While this is a blend of Friulano, Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio, Zuani’s Vigne is less about cepage according to lovely matriarch Patrizia Felluga and more about the cru terroir of this corner of Collio that rises against Slovenia in Italy’s northeastern frontier. Fifteen to thirty year old vines take up the mineral charms of their steep marl and sandstone slopes. Noted palate Peter Vars sums it up nicely, “these wines are clean, charming and utterly delicious every time I taste them.” I always find Vigne a marvelous and invigorating white all its own that somehow doesn’t insist you marvel at its every characteristic and yet smiles once your do. A lifted grassy high note welcomes the nose and honeydew near the rind takes you from there with faint wisp of fresh coconut. Firm lightly poached apples and tarragon. This is mineral and though firm it bears no hard edges but is as lovely as the Fellugas who make it –a pulchritudinous ensemble of exceptional winegrowers behind some of Italy’s most elegant white wines.
Wine review by Nicholas Livingston, November 2013