Dario Princic Venezia Bianco NV

Alcohol: 13%

Grape(s): Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, & Pinot Gris

Localization: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

Tasting Notes: An electric and masterful little skin contact wine, especially given that Dario considers this his 'entry level' bottling. A blend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Pinot Grigio, sourced from 60-year-old vines and subject to 22 days of macerating on skins, fermented and aged in chestnut vats for 24 months. A punchy nose of papaya, stewed quince, and sweet-pickled citrus zest is pocked with secondary elements of marigold flowers, coconut, and cardamom pods; the palate wound tightly around a lightning bolt of acidic pucker, with a wonderfully nutty, umami character lending a counterbalance of softness and texture. A killer bottle to start anyone's 'orange wine' journey!

The Domain: Dario Princic, with his stern visage sculpted by a lifetime in the vineyard, can seem an austere and sometimes brusque man, but his heart is made of pure gold and, though his innate shyness will never allow him to admit it, he has become a true beacon for not only orange wines that are pure art but for masterful and unforgettable natural wines. Way before these kinds of wines came to the international forefront and any trend had begun, Dario had been making unforgettable jewels from the typical Friuli Collio varieties, such as Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon, Pinot Grigio, Friulano, Chardonnay and Merlot. Located in the tiny village of Oslavia right at the Slovenian border (not far from colleagues and friends Radikon and Gravner), Dario works about 10 hectares on steeply terraced clay-limestone soils in a strictly organic regime. Likewise, in the cellar there are only wild fermentations and, most importantly, maceration on the skins of 8-45 days and long elevage in large wood, french old barriques, local wood crafted by Dario himself, and steel. In Dario’s wines, we find a deep and unflinching love for his terroir and an intimate understanding of the innermost soul of the grape.