Stacy Ladenburger - All Comments

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Thomas Riley — Mon, 10 Jul 2017 18:45:32 GMT

Excellent article, Stacy. I made a short visit to Friuli in May and you've touched on so much of what the region faces today. I, too, believe the region is worthy of greater attention and respect. This was a great read, thanks.

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Stacy Ladenburger — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 19:50:13 GMT

[mention:84b27cb9ad574e1cba52a1c4fceeb064:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] Thank you for chiming in with this thoughtful response. It's so true that this is just one case study reflecting a variation on a common theme in the wine world...!

It's an important point that the orange wine movement created division that went beyond difference of opinion or strategy. Today, the lack of unity on the producer front adds to the challenge of establishing a clear identity beyond the region's borders.

Regardless, I'm with you—I think Friuli is on its way to achieving its great potential!

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Admin — Tue, 18 Apr 2017 01:03:39 GMT

[mention:84b27cb9ad574e1cba52a1c4fceeb064:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] Well, maybe 4th best. Let me know when you are ready for a trip to Campagna, Marche and Alto Adige with me ;)

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Mark Shipway — Fri, 14 Apr 2017 09:38:14 GMT

Pretty interested now to read Part 2: The Red Wines of Fruili!

Hopefully soon.....

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Dan Petroski — Mon, 10 Apr 2017 20:47:12 GMT

[mention:e438445741f44e4cb47b875936906899:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] Thank you so much for this overview of the FVG region. You are a quick study and you hit many nails on the head, most importantly, and this does not just apply to Friuli, your finishing statement about "[finding] more ways to clarify that these different [wine] styles exist" and how to communicate them effectively. This can be a problem all the way down to the winery level whether here in California, or at the far reaches of Friuli. It is incredibly hard to change culture and tradition, especially when we speak about wines, wineries and wine regions on a generational level. Mitja Sirk and his family have done a great job in trying to rally the image of Collio as a place not only to consider its wines, but also its cuisine and being a downright fine place to visit. And there aren't words that can describe Bobby Stuckey and Lachlan Patterson's "love letter" to Friuli that they created at Frasca these many years.

However, I will say this, the wine community is built on the backs of very proud people. We are all proud of what we do, how we do it and why. Sadly, this breeds equal parts competition and jealousy. And that will sometimes damage our ability to add the sum of its parts in order to create a greater whole. For example, Gravner. What Gravner did just after a couple decades of producing wine cast him in an alternative, and unflattering, light. Just recently, I had a conversation with Stefano Bensa at La Castellada; he basically told me that he and his family were not content with the wines they made from Ribolla Gialla being any good. So, they explored ways to bring out the highest potential of the grape, and for them it was maceration. This movement has been incredibly polarizing for the community, because they were basically saying that everything they had done up until that point was garbage. While the First two waves, as you deemed them, believed that macerating grapes on their skins was de-evolutionizing the winemaking process. Was that true or were these just reactions to the Western world having a bit of a fling with "orange wines" ? Either way, the chasm in the community widened. Such a fascinating case study, but nothing short of what we can expect from the wine community! Think of it from a completely opposite perspective; the "Barolo Boys" felt that the old-guard-traditionalists were not evolving to the current flavors and tastes of the modern world. It has taken about 30 years now for the pendulum to swing back and settle itself out in Piemonte. Where am I going with this ?

Friuli is relatively new on the "world stage"; and although a bit disparate at the moment, I have faith that the best white wine making region in all of Italy will come together and achieve its potential; hopefully it won't take 30 years.

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Kelli White — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:43:57 GMT

Fantastic article, Stacy. I learned so much!

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Stacy Ladenburger — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:30:15 GMT

[mention:8d3e642d287e46599badf687f64b3574:e9ed411860ed4f2ba0265705b8793d05] Thanks so much. I need to make a pilgrimage to Frasca someday soon...!

RE: The White Wines of Friuli

Bobby Stuckey — Thu, 06 Apr 2017 20:18:37 GMT

Great work Stacy