2022 Ribolla Gialla

Showing up at the Ronchi di Cialla winery to find eighteen wines opened for tasting was a bit of a surprise, but it was a happy one, all the same. This is one of the best attributes of Ronchi di Cialla, in that they began their extensive library collection decades ago and now offer mature wines at extremely reasonable prices. As for the ability for their wines to age over time, one glance at the notes should put consumers’ minds at ease. Without a doubt, Schioppettino is the centerpiece of this collection, and the 2018 is one of the most exciting examples I’ve tasted. The Rapuzzi brothers are also masters with Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, which we tasted back to 1987. This remains one of the absolute top producers in Friuli, frankly in a league of their own, thanks to the long-standing traditions that the Rapuzzi family have upheld and their unique terroir. The winery literally stands at the top of their hillside vineyards, surrounded by a valley of thick forests. Anyone looking to understand the importance of Friuli’s indigenous reds and whites owes it to themselves to seek out this portfolio.