Pignolo wine guide
Pignolo is not just a red grape variety typical of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, but a real hidden treasure of Italian enology. The wines obtained from Pignolo vine (incredibly) are elegant, fine, graceful, but at the same time with excellent structure and with long aging in barrels they manage to develop an incredible tertiary and spicy charm, unique of its kind. Pignolo is not a very tannic or full-bodied wine in the Cabernet Sauvignon style, however, it manages to enclose a fabulous and multifaceted complexity.
Pignolo bouquet
Berries and cherries, flowers framed by elegant references of aromatic herbs and earthy scents. The nose is enveloping, there is little to do. Pignolo has an overwhelming personality, while not hinting at the aromatic arrogance, at all. It is a sculpted finesse, whispered in Pinot Noir style. But the real surprise are the spicy and ethereal scents that make the Pignolo bouquet noble and graceful.
What does Pignolo wine taste like?
Pignolo Friulian red wine characteristics, price, the best bottles
On the palate we find the same grace, everything is declined with finesse, despite the structure is decisive. It is not a drained or light wine. There are no smudges or edges or green flavors, although the tannins give strength and texture to the wine. do not expect a fat or muscular wine, but subtle, played on an exciting phrasing between flavor and freshness.
Aside from the entry-level products created to be drunk within the year, Pignolo is a wine that manages to defy the years to develop a fabulous tertiary charm. So do not rush and let it rest for 5, 10 and 15 years in the cellar.
Acidity is the secret of its longevity: for the harvest of the Pignolo grapes, it is usually done in the second half of October, to allow the sugars to reach a good polyphenolic ripeness.
History of the Pignolo grape
It is the historic wine of Rosazzo, a town in the province of Udine. We have had news of it since 1600 when it was mentioned in a poem by Gianbotte Micheli.
Production area of Pignolo
Historically this historic red grape variety is cultivated in the hills of Rosazzo, Albana, Prepotto and Premariacco: obviously, we are in the Colli Orientali del Friuli. The soils are mineral, based on marl and favor minerality and finesse in the wines, also thanks to a good temperature range. The Pignolo Colli Orientali del Friuli is the only DOC that provides for the production of Pignolo in purity.
Average Price of Pignolo
The simpler wines start at popular prices: 5-6 euros, but the finest bottles also cost 18, such as Dario Coos’ Pignolo, a simply wonderful wine.
Pignolo food pairings
We are talking about a very fresh wine, of substance, but not tannic like a Sagrantino. Treat it like a Sangiovese or a Pinot Noir and then combine it with risotto, Thai meat dishes, winter soups, grilled chicken, bbq dishes. Recommended dishes: baked lasagna, truffle risotto, pulled pork, Argentine meat empanadas, burritos, polenta with meat sauce, grilled meat; fillet of beef with porcini mushrooms; Cheeseburger.