Aganis Di Flabe Ribolla Gialla 2023 (Friuli) - Wine Review

With the first day of Spring arriving a couple of days ago, tonight's white wine review is a lovely Ribolla Gialla, a brand-new wine that arrived at LCBO outlets last weekend in the March 15 LCBO VINTAGES New Release Collection.

It is produced by Aganis Wine Company, a new winery project formed in 2022 by three brothers - Simone, Fabio, and Alessio Cecchetto. The Cecchetto brothers and their family are not new to the wine industry, as they also own the Treviso-based Ca' di Rajo family farm. Situated within the commune of Treppo Grande, Udine, in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, the name 'Aganis' is a tribute to the territory and is a dialect term for 'agane', female figures from Alpine mythology that are particularly well-known in Carnia, Friuli. Aganis is located at the foot of the Carnia peaks, near San Daniele. It is here that the brothers want to create an entrance to the Carnic Valleys where passersby can stop and contemplate nature and offer a sensory escape to those visiting Cormor botanical park, riding the Alpe Adria Cycle Route, or the nearby horse trail.

The essence of Aganis are the Friulian wines of Collio Orientale. While they seek to be pragmatic, they also want to speak from the heart and convey emotions, sensations, and memories that evoke the nuances and scents of Collio Friulano. The company's philosophy places the enhancement of the Friulian territory and culture at the centre of its business, with a modern and sustainable approach. Their aim is to convey the authenticity of Friuli, while also speaking through their wines, so wine drinkers can experience Friuli's perpetual spring, when the sun warms the skin, and life is eager to begin a new season.

Aganis' focus for the future is the environment and sustainability. The area surrounding the winery represents a treasure that must be protected by implementing integrated pest management protocols. Furthermore, the exploitation of soil and the reckless use of chemicals threaten the ecological balance of the ecosystem of the hills that Aganis is a part of. Some of Aganis' sustainable initiatives include the reduction in pesticides, innovation in the management of cellar operations, recovering and re-using waste water, and increasing energy efficiency through the installation of a photovoltaic system.

This white wine is crafted using Ribolla Gialla, an indigenous white grape variety that represents Friuli. It is named 'Di Flabe', which means 'fairytale-like' in Friulian, and fully reflects the world of Aganis, magic, and legend, while also enhancing freshness and immediacy. The grapes were grown in the slim Friuli Colli Orientali DOC in the northeastern corner of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, between 200–250 metres above sea level. The soil in this area is called Ponca, and consists of alternating layers of marl (calcareous clays), which absorbs water and is texturally soft, and sandstone (calcified sands), which is hard and impervious. The vines were trained using a double overturned and Guyot system. After harvesting the grapes in September, they were softly pressed and fermented at 15–17°C with selected yeasts. For maturation, 20% of the wine was aged in barriques for 4 months.

The 2023 growing season in Italy was the warmest year ever recorded in Italy. In Friuli, it began with a very warm March that was warmer than average, followed by a chill in April. May was wet throughout, which led to a step-up in the fight against downy and mildew. In July, temperatures continued to be high, while rains did not let up, and included two bouts of hail. From a complicated vintage where the lessons on the importance of prevention were paramount, let's see how this 2023 Ribolla Gialla from Friuli is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

AGANIS DI FLABE RIBOLLA GIALLA 2023 - DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli, Italy (#39744) (XD) - $22.95
The fresh, medium-high intensity nose is very pretty, evoking spring flowers layered over ripe lemon citrus, orchard fruit, apple, pear, white peach, and honeysuckle aromas, plus touches of ripe tropical fruit. It's medium+ bodied with good weight and concentration. Dry and slightly honeyed with lovely floral, lemon citrus, ripe apple-pear, and white peach flavours nuanced with mild spice and leesy notes adding savoury complexities. Fleshy and almost rich mouthfeel, acids are well-balanced and juicy. Gently spicy with citrus, orchard fruit, floral flavours tapering to leesy notes on the long finish. Ideal with fish, enjoy this highly recommended buy on any fine Spring day! Score: 90+ pts

Other fine wines by Aganis can be ordered through their Agent - Rare Earth Wines.

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Terre di Ger Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso 2021 (Friuli Venezia Giulia) - Wine Review

Tonight's red wine review is a delicious Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso from the region of Friuli Venezia Giulia in northeast Italy. It is a brand-new arrival at the LCBO as a Destination Collection product which you purchase online or at the Italy Destination Collection store in Woodbridge.

It is produced by Terre di Ger, a winery that arose with Gianni Spinazzè's passion for viticulture which began as a child when he walked around his family's vineyards in the Treviso area. During the 1960s, Gianni began manufacturing concrete poles to provide better support for vineyards in the Piave river basin in Northern Italy, a company which grew to become the Spinazzè group and one of the most important manufacturing companies in the grape growing and fruit business worldwide.

In 1975, Gianni planted his first vineyard with native grape varieties as a hobby and a personal diversion from his pole manufacturing business. Over the next two decades, fuelled by his passion for Friuli and refined wines, Gianni decided to start a wine business in the village of Frattina, around the Pordenone area, and produced wines under the "Podere del Ger" label, which eventually became "Terre di Ger" after the acquisition of new land and vineyards.

Over the last decade, Terre di Ger marked a turning point as the project has taken on new agronomic and oenological initiatives, starting with planting of new, resistant grape varieties and researching the resulting wines obtained from them. Additionally, the goal is to reduce the environmental impact of phytosanitary treatments, safeguard nature, and combine organic farming with organoleptic diversity. At its core, the mission of Gianni and Robert Spinazzè of Terre di Ger is to value the territory, respect the environment, and return to nature.

This red wine is crafted with 100% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, a variety from the Refosco family of grapes that derives its name from its red stems. As a single vineyard, the grapes were grown at their Villaraccolta Vineyard in Pasiano di Pordenone at an altitude of only 10 metres above sea level, with north-south exposure to the sun. The soil where these grapes were grown has a medium clay texture with seashells. The fully ripened grapes were mechanically harvested at the end of September. After selecting the grapes, they were carefully pressed and then fermented in stainless steel tanks at 28°C over two weeks. It was matured in stainless steel tanks.

The 2021 growing season in Friuli Venezia Giulia was characterized by a dry spring, with rainfall concentration higher between May and June. Summer was warm and sunny, which guaranteed optimal ripening of the grapes and resulted in very good aroma precursors and alcoholic strength. With generally very good growing conditions in northern Italy, let's see how this 2021 Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso from Friuli Venezia Giulia is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

TERRE DI GER REFOSCO DAL PEDUNCOLO ROSSO 2021 - IGP Trevenezie, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy (#28440) (D) - $19.95
This unoaked, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso has a medium+ intensity nose that is ripe and fruity with dark berry, blackberry, raisiny, black currant, and peppery spice aromas rising out of the glass. The medium+ to medium-full bodied palate is ripe and a touch sweet-fruited with blackberry, sour cherry, black currant, and violet flavours accented by peppery spice and stony minerality. It's fresh and juicy with very good, food-friendly acidity. Gentle tannins have a pleasing, chalky mineral textured grip. Savoury, stony mineral notes linger on the long, dry, and gently grippy finish, with very good length. Recommended buy! Score: 89 pts

A Merlot by Terre di Ger is available at the LCBO, while the entire range can be ordered through their Agent - Don Ackerman's Wines & Spirits.

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Filare Italia Wine Tasting Dinner (May 2022)

On May 9th, I had the pleasure (and finally felt somewhat comfortable) attending my first wine tasting dinner since the start of the pandemic. The dinner was hosted by Caliber Fine Wines & Spirits with wines from Filare Italia and held at Posticino Ristorante in Etobicoke. Joining us from the company that produced these wines were Marco Tam and Vincenzo Castana who talked about some of their initiatives, processes, and goals.

Filare Italia was founded recently by two families, Tam and Gardisan, who since 1947 have each had love and respect for the land and the cultivation of the vine. After more than 70 years, the two families united to form Gruppo Greenway, a new agricultural project that not only includes the production of green energy from biogas, but also the launch of the Filare Italia brand of wines.

They are located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in northeastern Italy, with the vineyards located in a basin between the Adriatic Sea and the Dolomites. The 100 hectares of vineyards are located in Grave del Friuli, with 40% by the group, and the rest owned by the two families. 10% of the vineyards are farmed organically, while the other 90% are farmed sustainably. The favourable microclimate in Grave del Friuli helps the ripening of bunches, making their wines unique with gentle characteristics and pronounced aromas. The families have partnered with a winery that was founded in 1960 in Bertiolo, a small village located in the center of Friuli, and the winery is involved in every phase of the winemaking process from vineyard management to the final tasting.

Filare Italia aims to be contemporary and innovative, while also promoting the "art of living well" with low alcohol wines perfect for aperitifs and moments of conviviality. The wines are packaged to evoke the value of made in Italy with terrazzo floors adorning the labels, as well as adding liveliness, elegance, and minimalism.

Chef Antonio prepared the dinner and did a very fine job of pairing each course with the wines from Friuli-Venezia Giulia. I particularly enjoyed the the jumbo shrimp paired with the Ribolla Gialla still table wine. It was also fascinating to try the Brut sparkling wine with the Tiramisu to cap off the meal.

The Ribolla Gialla was the star varietal of the night, with the 2020 Ribolla Gialla the unanimous wine of the night. The 2020 Ribolla Gialla will be coming to LCBO VINTAGES on June 18, while the rest of portfolio can be ordered through their Agent - Caliber Fine Wines & Spirits. Thank you Sandy of Caliber, as well as Marco and Vincenzo for a lovely evening!

Tasting Notes:

FILARE ITALIA PINOT GRIGIO 2019 - DOC Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy (XD) - $16
Fresh, white floral, orange citrus, and hints of lemon and stone fruit aromas rise out of the glass. It's quite concentrated on the dry, medium+ bodied, slightly creamy palate with gentle, balanced acidity and pleasing aroma replays. A touch spicy and minerally on the mid-palate and lingering through to the juicy finish, with very good length. Evolved quite nicely in the glass throughout dinner. Score: 88+ pts

FILARE ITALIA RIBOLLA GIALLA 2020 - IGT Venezia Giulia, Italy (#23098) (XD) - $14.95
Elegant, medium-high intensity nose is musky with herbs and floral aromas, along with hints of orange citrus and honeysuckle. On the concentrated, structured, medium-full bodied palate it has lovely citrus and peach flavours lifted by fresh acidity. Dry with stony mineral notes coming through on the long, juicy, and crisp finish. Coming to LCBO VINTAGES June 18. Score: 90+ pts

FILARE ITALIA RIVE MERLOT 2020 - DOC Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy (D) - $16.75
The fresh, fruity nose offers plummy, dark-black cherry, and blackberry aromas with hints of chocolate and earth. The ripe, medium-bodied palate has spiced, plummy, and fruit forward aroma replays, if a touch grapey and sweet. It has good acidity and soft, supple tannins. Good length on the slightly sweet finish. Crowd pleaser. Score: 87 pts

FILARE ITALIA CABERNET SAUVIGNON 2020 - DOC Friuli, Italy (XD) - $16.75
Aromas of black pepper, cassis, currant, and wood spice rise out of the glass with medium-high intensity. On the medium-full bodied palate it has supple, structured tannins with peppery, dark fruited replays on the flavour profile. Fresh acids carry through to the crisp finish, with very good length. Score: 88+ pts

FILARE ITALIA RIBOLLA GIALLA BRUT - DOC Friuli, Italy (XD) - $19
Craft using the Méthode Champenoise technique (i.e. traditional method), the medium-high intensity nose is toasty and complex with citrus, peach, apple, biscuit, yeasty, and leesy aromas. It has fine bubbles and crisp acids on the dry, structured palate with peach, citrus, biscuit, orange, and Flintstone vitamins with just a pinch of appealing sweetness. Very good length on the long, persistent, crisp finish. Score: 90 pts

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