Collection: Ribolla Gialla

Ribolla Gialla is a white grape with deep roots in northeastern Italy, more specifically the hills around Gorizia. With us it comes exclusively from Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and that is no coincidence: in Italy the grape is grown precisely here, primarily in the DOC zones Colli Orientali del Friuli and Collio. So you will find a small but dedicated collection where provenance and home soil go hand in hand.

The grape has a long history in the region. The first known written trace stems from a sales document from 1299, and from the thirteenth century Ribolla Gialla was popular in Venice. Later it was prized by the German aristocracy during Habsburg rule over the area. The language crosses the border too: in Slovenia's Goriska Brda it is grown as Rebula, which is genetically practically identical to the Italian Ribolla Gialla.

When it comes to quality, location is decisive. Wines from flat fields tend to become neutral and a little anonymous, while the grape shows its true potential on the hillside slopes, where the soil is lean, mineral-rich and well-drained with low clay content. Two recognized top areas are Rosazzo in Colli Orientali del Friuli and Oslavia in Collio, the latter particularly known for wines with longer skin contact.

Ribolla Gialla is characterized by its naturally high acidity, and that gives winemakers many options. You will encounter the grape as dry white wine and as barrel-aged white wine, but also as sparkling wine, both via the Charmat method and as traditional bottle fermentation. Added to this are off-dry and sweet versions as well as the more experimental styles with skin maceration for up to four months or oxidative aging in amphora.

For you who would like to discover a lesser-known Italian white grape, Ribolla Gialla is a fine place to begin. The fresh acidity makes it a versatile companion at the table, and the range of styles means there is something to explore, whether you prefer the clean and crisp or the more textured and aged expression from Friuli.