Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Grigio

Region: Friuli Isonzo Rive Alte, North East Italy

Soil type: A shallow gravel and pebble layer covers reddish, ferrous clay

Winemaking: This is the controversial bit! For the first time, the grape must has been macerated (soaked) for a short period on the pink skins of the Pinot Grigio grapes for a traditional 'Ramato' style wine which has a subtle pink hue. The wine is barrel fermented and matured on its lees for 7 months and clarified naturally, making it suitable for vegetarians.

ABV: 14.5%

Tasting Note
The wine has a pink and gold colour and a creamy, nose with lots of minerality. This isn't as big and buttery as previous vintages of the wine, but the short maceration has given it a beautiful structure. The finish is striking, spicy, long and very well balanced. This probably needs six months to settle and fatten a little, so should be perfect by the time it hits our shelves (the vintage on current release is 2006)

Cellaring
This is definitely a wine which will reward cellaring and will broaden and increase in complexity over the next 5 to 6 years

If you like this, why not try…A bit tricky this one as it Dessimis is such a unique Pinot Grigio, but if you're on a bit of a budget try the Cesconi Pinot Grigio, from the Dolomite mountains to the west of Friuli. Lighter and more fruit driven, but cracking value.