When in 1068 the Augustinian monks decided to settle on the hill of Santa Caterina and began the construction of theRosazzo Abbey (near Udine), they were well aware that the area in which they were settling had excellent agricultural potential. That place, which then passed into the hands of the Benedictines and later the Dominicans, will play an important role for the centuries to come, both from a religious and wine-growing point of view: this path will find its fulfillment in 2011 when, from sub-area of the DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli, Rosazzo becomes a DOCGwith some of the best wines from Friuli Venezia Giulia.
Rosazzo. The territory
When we talk about the Docg Rosazzo we are referring to a small denomination that falls within the hilly territory that develops between the municipalities of Manzano e San Giovanni al Natisoneto which is added a small portion of the municipality of Corno di Rosazzo. The area is characterized by a characteristic soil conformation that is locally called ponca. It is made up of marls and sandstones that give the land a particular consistency: they are very friable rocks, which crumble easily, even with the action of atmospheric agents. The lack of compactness means that water very easily erodes the surface of the land; this is why the territory of the Rosazzo DOCG has been strongly modeled by human action to allow for viticulture capable of maintaining the stability of the soil: it is not uncommon, in the area, to come across terraces or giropoggi.
The Rosazzo denomination and the wines produced
The Colli Orientali del Friuli denomination (which has now changed its name to Friuli Colli Orientali) was created in 1970: in that year, Rosazzo appeared in the specifications as a sub-area. Given the historical and geopedological peculiarities of the area, in 2011 it was decided to detach it from the denomination to create the DOCG. Rosazzo is a dry white which involves the use of different vines: the protagonist is undoubtedly the tocai friulano which must be present up to at least 50%; sauvignon, pinot bianco e/o chardonnay can be present in percentages ranging from 20 to 30%. With the yellow bubble you cannot go beyond 10%.
The best Rosazzo Docg wines
The result gives life to wines that shine for their mineral expressiveness and savoury undertone, as can be seen in the list we propose, where you will find the best Rosazzo Docg evaluated in the guide Gambero Rosso 2024 Wines of Italy con i Three Glasses, Two Red Glasses e Two glasses.
Il Rosazzo High Lands ’20produced for the first time in 1981, is a monument of regional oenology. Produced with Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco and Sauvignon, it has maintained its leading role in the company’s offering and as an ambassador in the world of the potential of the territory. It deservedly regains our Tre Bicchieri, closely followed by Rosazzo Rosazzo Abbey ’19.
Livio Felluga in the 1950s he founded the company of the same name in Brazzano di Cormòns. In his long life he has always been a point of reference for everyone and today the company, managed by his four sons, boasts an important hilly extension in the Collio and in the Friuli Colli Orientali denomination, enriched with the acquisition of the vineyards and the cellar of the Abbey of Rosazzo, a treasure chest of Friulian wine culture. Those hills that Livio himself reported on his labels, the famous geographical map that stands out on the shelves of restaurants and wine shops all over the world.
Il Rosazzo ’19 from Ronchi Of Manzano is one of the wines presented by this splendid company managed entirely by women by Roberta Borghese and her young daughters Lisa and Nicole. The Ronchi di Manzano are rich in history; they were chosen in past centuries by the Counts of Trento to produce wines for the nobles of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. In 1984 the Borghese family acquired the property, entrusting it to the then very young Roberta who was able to immediately bring it to the fore. Most of the vineyards surround the winery, while others extend over the hills of Rosazzo.
Il Rosazzo Bianco Nojâr ’20which last year reached the final selections, is composed of selected grapes of Tocai Friulano, Sauvignon, Chardonnay and Ribolla Gialla, it offers to the nose elegant fruity nuances of Annurca apple and apricot, accompanied by notes of toffee and vanilla, while in the mouth it is enveloping and rich in flavour.
The company of George Colutta, once better known as Bandut, is based in Manzano and the vineyards extend to the extreme south of the natural amphitheater formed by the gentle slopes of the Friuli Colli Orientali denomination. Both in the vineyard and in the cellar, all operations are carried out according to the principles of environmental compatibility and sustainability. Particular attention is paid to native vines, especially those rediscovered and revalorised, for which some crus have been identified which constitute the flagship of the company’s activity.
