wine review: 2021 Villa Vasi Ribolla Gialla, Collio DOC

Matt’s review: Italy’s Collio DOC is renowned for producing many of the finest white wines in Italy. Nestled in the north east of Italy, along the Slovenian border, near the base of the Julian Alps and the shores of the Adriatic Sea, it’s here where the unique Ponca soils that are found in the region’s hilly vineyards create the ideal terroir for crafting expressive wines with outstanding structure, aromatic and flavour complexity, pronounced minerality, and ageability characteristics.

Ribolla Gialla (pronounced REE-bolla JALL-ah, and Gialla meaning ‘yellow’ in Italian) is one of the indigenous varietals found in Collio DOC which thrives in the hilly vineyards throughout this region. Villa Vasi always harvests their Ribolla Gialla late, as the last white grape to be picked. Thanks to its high acid they’re able to extend the growing season well into the fall and pick based on colour to get that beautiful golden yellow hue which Ribolla Gialla is renowned for. Villa Vasi’s 2021 is very fresh and elegant. Complex bouquet showing citrus and orchard fruit, with expressive wet stone minerality. Mouthwatering, bone dry with a repeat on the palate, pronounced minerality persisting on the long finish. Outstanding expression of Ribolla Gilla that is showing beautifully now and will over the next decade. Enjoy year round with poultry, seafood, grilled fish with fruit compote. Highly recommended. Tasted May 2023. 92+ points. Matt Steeves – http://www.quercusvino.ca