2021 Ronchi di Cialla 'RiNera' Ribolla Nera, Friuli, Italy
Regular price $31.00
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100% Schioppettino - "Little Firecracker"
Schioppettino has a long history in Friuli-Venezia Giulia with documents as far back as the 13th century — however, 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.
The wine is medium-light bodied and fresh with cracked pepper, purple florals, and wild berry flavors. Don't miss out!