2018 Ronchi di Pietro Schioppettino, Friuli, Italy
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100% Schioppettino - "Little Firecracker"
Even though Schioppettino has a long history in Friuli-Venezia Giulia — the grape is mentioned in local documents as far back as the 13th century — by the 1960s, many thought it had gone extinct. After the twin epidemics of powdery mildew and phylloxera hit Italy in the mid-1800s, wiping out most of the country’s vines, Friulian producers chose to replace Schioppettino with other more profitable and trendy varieties, like Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot, which were easier to grow and sell. In the 60s there were less than 100 Schioppettino vines left in existence, scattered all over eastern Friuli. It became a forgotten grape until a small winemaker, Paolo Rapuzzi of Ronchi di Cialla, set out to create a winery focused on Friuli’s native grapes in 1970. At this point Schioppettino was not even legally recognized by Italy’s wine authorities. Rapuzzi started a thorough research in the region to spot old Schioppettino vines, a variety that he had only heard about in books and through stories, but had never cultivated or tasted. During his research he travelled even to Slovenia. He found about 70 individual vines in the Colli Orientali del Friuli region, near the town of Prepotto. Most had only been kept for tradition, not for actual wine production. It was from these vines that Paolo resurrected the grape bottling his Schioppettino di Cialla in 1977. After Schioppettino was authorized by the government and given its own designation within the Colli Orientali del Friuli region, other wineries followed Rapuzzi’s path, giving the grape new life. Schioppettino plants now live in Italy’s main vine nurseries from the cuttings taken from Rapuzzi’s revived vines.
This 2018 vintage Schioppettino was produced by winemaker Giancarlo Rocca from Ronchi di Pietro. Sourced from the sustainably managed Ronco Grassi vineyard in the Colli Oriental del Friuli appellation of Italy, it reflects the passion for fine wine inherent to the culture and tradition of this esteemed region. Following a meticulous harvest, the wine is aged in a combination of oak barriques and stainless steel tanks for 8 months before bottling. Complex texture with crisp, savory aromas, wild berries, red fruits and peppery spice.