Livio Felluga Friulano 2024

Friulano is the flagship white grape of Friuli in north-east Italy, and Livio Felluga is one of its leading producers. The grapes are hand-harvested from the Colli Orientali hills, where loam and sandstone soils drain freely and hold the wine's acidity and mineral character in a cool hillside climate. After a gentle destemming and a short maceration on the skins to draw out aroma and a light texture, the grapes are pressed and fermented in stainless steel at controlled temperatures. The wine then spends six months on its fine lees, and this contact with the dead yeast cells builds a rounder, fuller mid-palate and adds a subtle savoury depth without any oak. It rests a further period in bottle before release. The 2024 is pale straw with a nose of pear, white peach and white flowers, with the grape's characteristic almond note and a hint of sage. The palate is dry and textured, medium in body at 13 percent, finishing on a bitter-almond freshness typical of the variety. Serve at 9 to 11 degrees in a white glass.