Located in the rolling hills on the Slovenian border in Italy’s north east corner, Marco Scolaris is a young and dynamic family run estate in its fourth generation. Emphasis is on bio-oriented agriculture and a focus on native grape varieties, with the region particularly renowned for crisp and lively whites.
The most traditional of the Friulian varieties, with traceable origins back to 1300 AD. It has a bright straw yellow colour with greenish reflections, aromatically leading with pear, apple dried herbs and almond, the palate carrying these flavours with freshness to a slightly bitter nutty finish.
Pale straw in colour, an elegant iteration here of this ancient variety. Lemon, lemon-drop and sherbet aromatics and flavours over white flowers, fresh chestnuts and just a touch of citrus pithy bitterness. High in acid for sure but it’s soft rather than bracing, generally speaking a lovely Italian dry white.
Too delicious not to import. Think Traminer sans the musky ‘Gewürz’ characters of perhaps familiar. Rippling with exotic tropical fruit though dry, mineral flecked and with lovely length. Feels pristine and fresh.
An indigenous variety to the region, representative of the red earth of the Isonzo plain. If red wine and black tea had a baby, this is what it may be. We’ve enjoyed previous vintages of this though they tended to be rather neutral (odd descriptor for red wine perhaps); with more juiciness and presence in this release, we were impressed with the 2021. So fine, dry, elegant savoury and gentle; Earl Gray tea and woody aromas, currant, plum and Dutch liquorice flavours, black tea tannic layers which are firmly present and plentiful yet so forgiving, this contrast giving some intrigue. Would appeal to fans of fine juicy Gamay.
North Italian Cab Franc – why not? Pure and varietal, we’re pleased to finally bring this in. Textbook leading aromatics of ripe red peppers and sweet paprika, with some juicy cherry flavours underneath and a little Chinotto. Fine, long and ripe tannins give this an attractive finish. The style is paired locally with roasted capsicum dishes to great effect, a lot of fun to pair with vegetable dishes and lighter proteins.
