Pinot Grigio, Pighin, Collio, IT, 2023

Friuli in the northeast of Italy is an ideal region for growing white wine grapes like Pinot Grigio. It is protected by the Alps to the north and receives the sea breeze from the Adriatic Sea in the south. The favorable conditions were known even in Roman times when the region was devoted to winemaking.

The region of Collio is Friuli’s finest and is internationally recognized as one of the most suitable regions for growing white wine grapes. Terraced rows of vines curve gracefully along a hillside to form a natural amphitheater and yield high-quality grapes. The southern exposure ensures sunlight and the soil, known as “ponca”, consists of friable or easy to crumble marlstone that retains water and hydrates the vines. At harvest, the grapes are handpicked and pressed in a state-of-the-art pneumatic press. The must is fermented and matured in stainless steel tanks (no oak is used), allowing the characteristics of the Pinot Grigio grape variety to show beautifully.