Varneri Merlot Collio DOC

A Merlot from the Collio region that shows what this northeastern border region of Italy is capable of: ripe fruit with cool elegance instead of southern heaviness.

Marco Felluga is one of the most influential names in Friuli. Since the 1950s, the family has been cultivating vines in the Collio DOC—a hilly region on the Slovenian border, whose flysch soils (alternating sandstone and marl) provide vibrant acidity and mineral character. The Varneri Merlot spends 12 months in oak barrels , followed by another 6 months in the bottle—a process that gives the wine structure without overpowering it.

In the glass, it displays a deep ruby ​​red color. The nose opens with dark berry jam, black cherry, and a hint of tobacco. On the palate, it is round and full-bodied, the tannins are softly integrated, and the finish is long and slightly spicy.

• Dishes: Braised beef shoulder, wild boar salami, mature pecorino cheese
• Temperature: 16–18 °C
• Drinking window: now until approximately 2028