Wines Colli Orientali del Friuli Ronchi di Cialla - Ribolla Gialla - 2023

Ronchi di Cialla’s 2023 Colli Orientali del Friuli white expresses all the finesse one might expect from a Ribolla Gialla cuvée crafted in the hills of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. This wine likely showcases the varietal's signature freshness and elegant structure, with delicate citrus, pear and white floral aromas layered over a subtle mineral backbone. The 2023 vintage, coming from the renowned Colli Orientali, would typically enhance such characteristics, producing a lively, pristine white with balanced acidity and a touch of savoury complexity derived from the region’s unique terroir. The vinification approach is often focused on preserving the crispness and purity of fruit, employing careful temperature-controlled fermentation in stainless steel, with limited intervention to retain aromatic vibrancy.

Colli Orientali del Friuli, nestled in the north-eastern hills along the Slovenian border, is one of Italy’s most celebrated white wine districts. The region’s cool climate, shaped by Alpine breezes and Adriatic influences, enables a long ripening season beneficial for whites like Ribolla Gialla. The necklace of rolling hills, with their marl and sandstone soils, imparts a pronounced mineral quality and subtle salinity to the wines, alongside bright, precise fruit expression—a hallmark of Friulian whites. With a winemaking history stretching back centuries, Friuli-Venezia Giulia has become synonymous with elegant, textural, food-friendly whites that showcase the full potential of local grape varieties.

A versatile partner at the table, this style of white wine matches effortlessly with delicately flavoured starters—think fresh shellfish, carpaccio of fish, or light vegetable antipasti. It shines alongside regional pairings such as frico (crispy cheese and potato), risotto alle erbe or prosciutto di San Daniele. For main courses, consider simple grilled fish or poultry with lemon and herbs, where the wine’s acidity will lift the flavours beautifully.

Best enjoyed well-chilled, serve at 8-10°C to accentuate both its freshness and its subtle aromatic charm. Decanting is not necessary; the wine’s primary character and vibrancy are most enjoyable when freshly opened in its youth.