The Friulano grape produces highly sought after wines in Italy’s north-east. Bound by the Alps to the north, Adriatic Sea to the south and the Slovenian border on the east, the state of Friuli is the source of many of Italy’s greatest wines. Over the past 20 or so years, consumers outside of Italy have started to take notice of these wines, reflected in their rise to prominence on the lists of fine dining restaurants.
The past decade has witnessed a growth in the interest in Italian varietals in Australia. Several years ago, Kathleen Quealy, formerly of t’Gallant, planted Friulano on the cool maritime influenced Mornington Peninsula, believing that it shared certain factors in common with Friuli’s rolling hills.
Rather than settle for making a ‘safe’ expression of the variety, fermented in the controlled environment of stainless steel tanks, she opted to use clay amphorae. Although the use of these vessels dates back to Roman times, they have been used by a number of ‘edgy’ contemporary producers in Italy for a good number of years. One such producer is the legendary Josko Gravner, the man behind some of Friuli’s most sought after wines.
The Quealy 2011 Amphora Friulano captures the aromatic essence of the grape variety, and delivers an arresting palate marked by a touch of grip on the finish. Although it could perhaps do with a touch more weight, it will be an interesting wine to follow as the style develops over the next few years.
2011 AMPHORA FRIULANO
Producer: Quealy Wines
Variety: Friulano
Vintage: 2011
Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
ABV: 12.8%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $26.99
Date tasted: 18 April 2012
Tasting Note:
Bright greenish yellow. Fresh aromatic nose of apple blossom, white peach and apricot. Dry, medium bodied, very clean, steely palate with zingy acidity, crisp green apples, candied peel, apricots. Finishes with a touch of grip.
Score: 16/20
The past decade has witnessed a growth in the interest in Italian varietals in Australia. Several years ago, Kathleen Quealy, formerly of t’Gallant, planted Friulano on the cool maritime influenced Mornington Peninsula, believing that it shared certain factors in common with Friuli’s rolling hills.
Rather than settle for making a ‘safe’ expression of the variety, fermented in the controlled environment of stainless steel tanks, she opted to use clay amphorae. Although the use of these vessels dates back to Roman times, they have been used by a number of ‘edgy’ contemporary producers in Italy for a good number of years. One such producer is the legendary Josko Gravner, the man behind some of Friuli’s most sought after wines.
The Quealy 2011 Amphora Friulano captures the aromatic essence of the grape variety, and delivers an arresting palate marked by a touch of grip on the finish. Although it could perhaps do with a touch more weight, it will be an interesting wine to follow as the style develops over the next few years.
2011 AMPHORA FRIULANOProducer: Quealy Wines
Variety: Friulano
Vintage: 2011
Region: Mornington Peninsula, Victoria
ABV: 12.8%
Closure: Screw cap
Format: 750ml
Retail price: $26.99
Date tasted: 18 April 2012
Tasting Note:
Bright greenish yellow. Fresh aromatic nose of apple blossom, white peach and apricot. Dry, medium bodied, very clean, steely palate with zingy acidity, crisp green apples, candied peel, apricots. Finishes with a touch of grip.
Score: 16/20
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