The rolling hills of Friuli Venezia Giulia, in Italy’s northeast, are known for their distinctive wines. Recently, a group of sommeliers from Lecce, in the southern region of Puglia, journeyed north to explore the unique style of Princic winery, guided by the expertise of Natalino Del Prete and his daughter, Mina. The event, a precursor to a larger natural wine event planned for 2021, offered a deep dive into macerated wines and the philosophy behind them.
Fabrizio Miccoli, vice delegate of the Associazione Italiana Sommelier of Lecce, described the encounter as an “inspiring journey” to understand the wines of Collio through the “Princic style,” recognizing the winery as a leading producer of macerated wines, not just in Italy but internationally. The tasting, held at Natalino Del Prete’s organic farm in Sandonaci, brought together approximately fifty professionals and enthusiasts eager to experience a different approach to winemaking—one that prioritizes flavor and food pairing over everyday consumption.
Exploring the Princic Approach to Winemaking
The tasting focused on four IGT Venezia Giulia wines: a Rosso made from Merlot, a white blend of local varietals, a 2017 Pinot Grigio with brief maceration and a Ribolla with extended maceration. Participants weren’t simply tasting wine; they were learning about a process that goes beyond the typical distinctions between wine types. The key, according to those present, lies in the maceration process itself, but also in a deeper understanding of the winemaking philosophy.
A Sensory Journey Through the Wines
The tasting began with a white blend of Chardonnay and Friulano, aged in steel. Described as having a “velvety” appearance, the wine offered “pleasant fruity notes” that evolved with temperature, accompanied by “spicy and aromatic herbal notes.” On the palate, it delivered “persistence and balance,” finishing with a “long mineral trail and a salty finish.” Next, a red blend of Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon presented “vivid ruby tones” and aromas of “fresh red fruit” enhanced by “balsamic notes.” The balance between acidity and tannins was noted as particularly striking, leading to a “fresh finish with linear tannins.”
The standout, however, was the 2017 Pinot Grigio, notable for its orange hue. Produced outside the Collio DOC, this wine underwent over 15 days of maceration and three years of aging in wooden containers. The result was a wine expressing “anthocyanic pigments,” surprising attendees with aromas of “hibiscus, citrus scents, and potpourri.” It was described as having a “structure, richness, and gustatory persistence” that opened up a wide range of food pairing possibilities.
The Ribolla: A Culmination of Technique and Terroir
The tasting concluded with Princic’s interpretation of Ribolla, a wine produced with extended maceration and three years of maturation in wooden containers. Miccoli noted that the wine was “rich, full of personality, and with a pleasant and dynamic mouthfeel.” The overall sentiment from the event, he added, was that all the wines left a lasting impression, evoking “emotion and pleasure.” Dario Poddana of “Les Caves De Pyrene” in the United Kingdom, a wine expert with a cellar of approximately 4,000 labels, reportedly praised Princic’s wines for their “olfactory cleanliness, decisive taste, persistence, and personality,” attributing these qualities to the winery’s rigorous approach in the vineyard and cellar.
The exploration of Natalino Del Prete’s wines and the Princic style offers a glimpse into a world of winemaking that values tradition, experimentation, and a deep connection to the land. The event underscored the growing interest in natural wines and the unique character of the Collio region. Further events focusing on natural wines are planned, building on the success of this initial gathering.
The next step for the Associazione Italiana Sommelier of Lecce is to continue exploring and sharing these unique winemaking philosophies with their members and the wider public. Readers interested in learning more about natural wines and the Collio region can find additional information through the resources linked above.
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