Ronchi di Cialla — Crescendo Wines

Ronchi di Cialla

Ronchi di Cialla is a magical estate producing a famous wine: Schioppettino di Cialla. Occupying a whole valley in far northeastern Italy, near the Slovenian border, the Cialla cru is home to the Rapuzzi family and one of Italy’s rarest but most brilliant red varieties: Schioppettino. Saved from extinction by the family, Schioppettino is famous for its intense perfume, freshness and complexity, and being a wine that improves for decades.
Cialla is also home to white varieties, which go into the estate’s top white wine, Ciallabianco; and other red varieties, including th ageworthy Refosco.

The vineyards of the Cialla cru (one of the only DOC crus in Italy farmed by only one estate) are planted on slopes between 500 and 650 feet. The soils are largely sandstone. The vineyards are farmed organically; both brothers Ivan and Pierpaolo are entomologists (insect experts) and are committed to biodiversity, so much so that Cialla has received the Biodiversity Friend award. 96% of the Cialla valley is forest, especially of chestnut and cherry, but also olive trees.

The white varieties are typical of this part of Friuli: Ribolla Gialla, Picolit and Verduzzo. They are blended to glorious effect in the Ciallabianco, which can drink well for 20 years or longer after the vintage.

The Schioppettino has a memorable perfume of white pepper, incense and red fruits; a rather light ruby color; a light to mid-weight body and moderate alcohol (12.5%), a velvety texture and a long, haunting, perfumed finish. Unique is an overused word: it certainly applies to this variety in this wine.