Wines Picolit Pighin - 2015 - 2015

Viniou Reviews

Pighin’s Picolit DOC 2015 is an excellent example of sweet white wine from one of Italy’s most revered yet rare indigenous grapes, the Picolit. Cultivated with care in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, this wine expresses the refined nuances unique to the terroir. The 2015 vintage benefitted from favourable weather, allowing for slow ripening and high sugar concentration in the grapes, characteristics that are central to the moelleux, or lightly sweet, style of this wine. The Picolit grape yields small, often scant bunches, which contributes to the wine’s exclusivity and concentrated aromas. Vinification typically involves late harvesting and careful handling of the grapes to preserve their aromatic purity and achieve a harmonious balance between sweetness, acidity, and delicate texture.

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, bordering Austria and Slovenia in the far north-east of Italy, is renowned for its white wines. The region's combination of Alpine and Adriatic influences creates a temperate climate with significant temperature drops between day and night, fostering aromatic complexity in the grapes. The soils, composed mainly of marl and sandstone, impart minerality and finesse to the wines. Friuli has a rich viticultural history, blending Italian, Slavic, and Germanic traditions, which is reflected in both the varietals grown and the styles produced.

Picolit DOC is a wine made for refined food pairings. Its luscious texture and aromatic intensity make it an outstanding partner for blue cheeses such as Gorgonzola Dolce, ripe taleggio, or creamy sheep’s cheese. It also complements classic Italian desserts like panettone or almond biscotti, and can be enjoyed as a meditative wine on its own at the end of a meal. Foie gras, terrines, and lightly spiced Asian cuisine with a touch of sweetness are elegant international matches.

To fully enjoy the complexity and richness of Pighin’s Picolit 2015, serve it lightly chilled at 10-12°C. Use small wine glasses to concentrate the wine’s perfumed bouquet and take time to allow the flavours to unfold as the wine slowly warms in the glass.