Tunella Mixed Case Native Reds

Tasting Notes

Tunella – Three Generations, One Family History:
At the far eastern edge of Friuli-Venezia-Giulia in northeastern Italy sits Tunella, one of the iconic wineries from the premium appellation Colli Orientali (Eastern Hills). Tunella is justly famous for championing the indigenous grape varieties of Friuli producing both stand alone varietal wines and cuvées which involve the blending of various native grapes.

3 bottles of each – avg.$36.95/btl / $221.70 cs of 6 x 750ml.

Refosco 2021:
Tunella harvests their Refosco grapes by hand at the perfect degree of sugar and phenol content, which is important with this variety to avoid green flavours. The resulting must is then allowed to macerate and ferment on the skins in steel vats. During this period, pumping over is carried out frequently to encourage the transfer of colour and noble tannins from the skins to the fermenting must. Once alcoholic and malolactic fermentation are complete, the wine is transported to the cellar by gravity into 2,500 litre French oak barrels where it matures briefly, until the month of February, when it is bottled.

The 2021 Refosco is an intense ruby red with violet reflections. The distinctive bouquet is broad, rich, and intense, anchored by fruity and floral notes of underbrush, wild blackberry, raspberry and lavender. On the palate the wine is dry, medium bodied with substantial structure and a slightly bitter almond aftertaste. It shows firm tannins, good acidity with intense fruit and leathery flavours. The finish is impressively long. Refosco is an easy wine to enjoy and pairs well with Sausages on Polenta, Spaghetti Carbonara, Roast Pork Shoulder or Fresh Ricotta Cheese. Medium body 13.5% alc.

Schioppettino 2020:
You would be hard-pressed to find a grape that has come closer to extinction than Schioppettino. As wine writer Ian D’Agata notes in his authoritative book Native Wine Grapes of Italy, in 1976 Schioppettino was almost outlawed by the town council in its home of Prapotto in favour of international grapes such as Cabernet and Merlot. It was only the “en-masse rebellion” of the local citizenry that had the law repealed and eventually Schioppettino was recognized and enshrined as a recommended variety. This was a very fortunate turn of events as Schioppettino is now producing some of the most delicious and interesting wines found in Friuli.

Tunella is noted as one of the premier producers of Schioppettino. The grapes, which are extensively thinned out in the vineyard in June, are hand-picked and laid in small cases to dry and concentrate for a short period. Once destemmed and gently crushed, the resulting must is fermented on the skins with indigenous yeasts for approximately 20 days. During this period, pumping over is carried out frequently to favour the transfer of colour and the noble components that define such an illustrious red wine from the skins to the fermenting must. After racking, the wine is left to rest in 500 litre French oak tonneaux for almost two years.

The 2020 Tunella Schioppettino is a characteristic deep purple colour that stains the glass. Swirling the glass releases an elegantly full and decisive bouquet with notes of blackberry, black cherry, licorice and a distinct aroma of green peppercorns so emblematic of the variety. The palate is generous and decisive, filling the mouth with a velvetiness, yet compact and determined with seamless tannin components, reiterating the wine’s entire aromatic spectrum in orderly succession. This elegant and poised wine will age well for the next decade. Serve with Osso Bucco, Grilled Rib Eye, Charcuterie and cheeses such as aged Gouda or Cheddar. Medium to Full Bodied 14% Alc.