Variety: 60% Tocai Friulano, 30% Malvasia Istriana, 10% Ribolla Gialla
Vintage: 2023
Sugar content: dry
Alcohol volume: 13 %
Wine region: Friuli Venezia Giulia
Wine district: Collio DOC
Cellar location: Giasbina, San Floriano del Collio
Price: 20 Eur
I met Fabjan Korsič two years ago at a beneficiary auction centred around a project to revive the first Cru Classification, ordered by Empress-Queen Maria Theresa in 1787 for the County of Gorizia-Gradisca d’Isonzo. We had quite a few chats, and I’m happy to present one of his wines finally.
I got this bottle at the Collio – Vino da uve autoctone presentation and brought it with me on my vacation. Let me say that it was a perfect refreshment on one of the hot summer days!
The farm is located in Giasbina, right at the border with Slovenia. The Korsič family oversees 8 hectares of vineyards and produces approximately 40,000 bottles a year.
They focus on the production of monovarietal whites, with Ribolla Gialla as their main variety, as well as Friulano and, more recently, Malvasia Istriana. They also produce an oak-aged merlot, and today’s recommendation is the only white blend. It is bottled under the Collio DOC designation, but further elevated according to the “Uve da vini autoctoni” initiative that defines Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia Istriana as the sole grapes used in the blend and that the significant part should consist of Friulano.
This Collio Bianco is a blend of 60% Tocai Friulano, 30% Malvasia Istriana, and 10% Ribolla Gialla. After destemming and gentle pressing, the must ferments in stainless-steel vats for 4 to 6 days at controlled temperatures between 18 °C and 20 °C. The wine is then racked and matures in oak on lees for an additional 12 months. After assemblage and bottling, the final wine undergoes six months of bottle ageing before being put on the market.
The result is a straw yellow wine with golden reflections and visible viscosity. Its elegant and fine nose is led by fragrances of Friulano and Malvasia, with Mediterranean herbs, yellow apple, fig, grapefruit, almond flower, as well as hints of opuntia, straw, lees, and weststone. The palate expresses softness and well-integrated alcohols with pronounced freshness and minerality, gently intertwining and emphasising its persistence—a medium-bodied wine with intensity, character and a lasting finish marked by hints of herbs and fruit.
A wine to sip and savour on hot summer days, over a plate of tuna carpaccio. It can easily accompany salmon tartare with avocado or even not too salty, non-smoked prosciuttos and salamis, typical of the region.
CURIOSITY: The wine is bottled in the distinctive Collio consortium bottle. The cap is topped with yellow and features “Collio” written on it. Even the glass bears the script ‘Collio’ on it.
