Wine of the Week 12/10/19

di Lenardo "TOH!" Friulano 2018
Regularly $12.99/On Sale for $10.96

Massimo Di Lenardo is a genius at taking traditional Friulian grapes and making wines at his solar-powered winery that bat way above their price-points.

After a career in Italy's Nat'l Volleyball League, “Max” assumed direction of his family's 100 yr old farm & restricted their wines to single-vineyard productions from their own estate (vs. grapes purchased from other growers).  His wines are now consistently recognized in the Italian wine journal Gambero Rosso as leaders in the Italian wine world for quality and price. 

In 1998, Max took full charge of wine production, placing greater emphasis on viticulture and vinification. In the vineyards, he increased vine density, began severely pruning and experimented with different clones until he found those particularly suited to the family’s terroir. Electronically controlled temperature during fermentation and other cellar improvements have enhanced the quality of the wines. Whole berries are gently crushed in a pneumatic press. After the first racking, the must is transferred to fermentation vats and the wine remains on its lees until bottling. 

“Toh” is old slang for the grape formerly known as Tocai Friulano.  The varietal is now known as simply “Friulano” to avoid confusion with the Hungarian Tokaj.  This relative of Sauvignon Blanc (also known as Sauvignon Vert) is more full-bodied with a more delicate aroma, but still makes a terrific wine with lighter foods or just good, convivial company.