Primosic, Friulano, Collio, 2023
Primosic, Friulano, Collio, 2023
- 75cl
- 13%
- White Still
- Friulano
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2031
Est. delivery in June, 2026
Primosic's Friulano shows why this grape became Friuli's calling card after the Pinot Grigio bubble burst. From the prestigious Collio DOC, this is Friulano with proper structure and personality rather than the dilute versions that flood the market. We find it strikes that lovely balance between immediate charm and enough backbone to reward a few years in bottle.
The 2023 vintage captures everything we love about this variety: fresh orchard fruit without being simple, mineral tension without being austere, and that distinctive bitter almond note that makes Friulano so food-friendly. Drink it young for its vibrancy or give it until 2031 to develop those honeyed, waxy textures that make aged Friulano such a treat.
The 2023 is showing beautifully now with vibrant primary fruit and fresh acidity at the forefront. Over the next two years, expect the mineral components to become more integrated while the fruit develops subtle honeyed characteristics. By 2028-2030, this should reach a lovely secondary phase with waxy textures and more complex orchard fruit flavours, though it will begin to lose some of its crisp freshness beyond 2031.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale straw yellow with brilliant clarity and a hint of green at the rim.
NoseFresh pear and green apple emerge first, followed by white flowers and a distinct mineral edge. There's a subtle herbal quality reminiscent of sage and a touch of citrus zest that adds brightness.
PalateMedium-bodied with crisp acidity that carries flavours of ripe pear and white peach. The mineral backbone provides structure while maintaining freshness, and there's a lovely textural quality that suggests brief skin contact.
FinishClean and persistent with that characteristic bitter almond note and a touch of white pepper spice.
Overall impressionA textbook example of Friulano that balances immediate appeal with serious structure.
Food Pairings
In Friuli, this would be the natural partner for the region's famous prosciutto di San Daniele, where the wine's acidity cuts through the meat's richness while its mineral backbone complements the salt cure. Locals also pair it with frico, the crispy cheese and potato cake that's practically the regional dish, as well as fresh seafood from nearby Grado and the abundant wild mushrooms that appear in autumn risottos throughout the region.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 10-12°C in a medium-sized white wine glass to allow the aromatics to develop properly. No need to decant, but do let it warm slightly in the glass to reveal its full character. This wine benefits from being opened 15-20 minutes before serving to allow the mineral elements to integrate.
The vineyards sit on the famous ponca soils of Collio, a unique mixture of limestone and marl formed millions of years ago when this area was underwater. These calcareous soils provide excellent drainage while retaining enough moisture to sustain the vines through dry summers, and their mineral content gives Friulano its characteristic tension and longevity. The hills here benefit from both Alpine influences and Mediterranean warmth, creating ideal conditions for white varieties.
Collio DOC spans the border between Italy and Slovenia, representing some of the finest white wine terroir in northeast Italy. The appellation's strict yield limits and quality requirements ensure that only the best sites produce DOC wines. Collio's reputation for elegant, mineral-driven whites puts it alongside Soave Classico and Alto Adige as Italy's premier white wine regions, with Friulano considered the area's signature variety.
Friuli's 2023 vintage came together beautifully after a challenging start that had growers holding their breath well into summer. Spring frost threatened the early budbreak, whilst a particularly wet May had everyone fretting about disease pressure in the vineyards. But then the weather gods smiled: July and August delivered warm, dry conditions with crucial diurnal temperature swings that allowed the grapes to ripen whilst retaining their trademark freshness. The harvest stretched longer than usual, with producers able to pick each parcel at optimal ripeness rather than rushing to beat the rain.
What emerged is a vintage that captures everything we love about Friuli whites: piercing aromatics, mineral-driven precision, and that distinctive Alpine freshness that makes these wines so food-friendly. The Pinot Grigio shows proper personality rather than bland neutrality, whilst Friulano delivers its characteristic almond and herb complexity with lovely weight. Sauvignon Blanc positively sings with varietal character but keeps its feet firmly on the ground. These wines are drinking superbly now and will continue to reward patient cellaring until 2028, though frankly, their immediate charm makes waiting rather difficult.
FAQs
What does Friulano taste like?
Fresh and mineral-driven with pear and white flowers, plus a distinctive bitter almond finish that makes it instantly recognisable.
Is this the same grape as Sauvignon Blanc?
No, though it was confusingly called Tocai Friulano until EU regulations forced the name change. It's completely different from Sauvignon Blanc, with more subtle aromatics and that signature almond note.
What food pairs best with this wine?
Classic with prosciutto and Italian antipasti, but also excellent with grilled fish, creamy risottos, and aged cheeses.
Should I drink this young or age it?
Delicious now for its fresh fruit character, but will develop lovely honeyed complexity if you can wait 3-5 years.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve chilled at 10-12°C in a proper white wine glass, and let it warm slightly to reveal its full aromatics.
What makes Collio special?
The unique ponca soils of limestone and marl give wines from this border region their distinctive mineral backbone and ageing potential.
OUR GROWERS
Primosic
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