Emilio Bulfon Piculit Neri Tre Venezie IGP 2020, Italy

Emilio Bulfon has long been famous in Friuli for his rediscovery of many ancient grape varieties. Until about thirty five years ago, they seemed to have been lost, overwhelmed by undergrowth and human neglect, in the foothills near Pordenone about an hour and a half north east of Verona. Historically, this has always been wine country and Bulfon’s unique passion gave the varieties a new lease on life. He treated them with the respect worthy of archaeological remains and replanted them, with advice from local experts. Much of the rediscovered historical record found referencing these grapes shows their existence in the region for at least two or three hundred years. On May 6, 1991, a decree signed by the Minister For Agriculture And Forests included the Forgiarìn, Piculìt Neri, Sciaglìn and Ucelùt varieties in the National Catalogue of Vines. Piculit Neri – Medium ruby. Inhaling the aromas are more fruit focused, dark berries including a slightly unripe blackberry, draped in red petals. On the palate, it balances a fresh feel with moderate to firm tannins that benefit with a little more open space. There’s a mineral edge too and an incisive cut of blackcurrant skins adding to the tension with acids, tannins and extract all knitting together.