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Picolit is truly Friuli’s “best
kept secret.” A complete description would require
more space than we have here, but a few words are certainly
in order. First of all, the picolit grape itself is unique,
the only variety in the world that is frequently subject
to “shatter,” or poor fruit set, during the
flowering period, thus dramatically lowering the vineyard
yield. Further, a relatively thick skin and double seeds
diminish its juice yield to about 40-70% of that for other
grape varieties. On the other hand, concentration of flavor
elements in the juice is extraordinary, as are the levels
of micro and macro minerals absorbed from the soils in
which it grows. All this contributes to a wine of magnificent
complexity. But all these components need time to coalesce
and harmonize together--every piece of the mosaic must
find its rightful place! This is the real secret of producing
Picolit.
Our picolit grapes are raised in hillside vineyards
in the Collio district near the city of Gorizia, not
far from the Slovenian border. Picolit thrives in these
clayey soils rich in ponca, a loose mixture of marl,
sandstone, and fossil-derived calcium, producing grapes
of exceptional quality.
The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand, usually
in late September or early October, depen-ding on weather
conditions.
A portion of the grapes is immediately de-stemmed and
pressed, with only ambient, or “wild,” yeasts
used for their fermentation. Another part of the grapes
is placed in shallow trays or on mats to undergo a drying
process; they are pressed later in the year and then
ferment in 54-liter (14 gal.) demijohns.
The fermentation is allowed to reach only 14% alcohol;
the wine, still rich in natural sugars, is then chilled
and stored until the following spring, when it is settled
and clarified. It then undergoes a tight filtration
and ages for 12 to 18 months in 225-liter (60 gal.)
oak barrels
Total production: 2,400 half-liter bottles.
200 1.5-liter magnums
500 double magnums
Alcohol: 14%
Total acidity: 5.5 gr/li.
pH: 3.58
Residual sugar: 90 gr/li. (9%)
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