Unique Sauvignon Blanc

[Macarons&Mozart]

Hi All--

When I was in Vienna a few weeks ago I came across a really great wine that I have never tried before. It was a Sauvignon Blanc from Italy (Friuli I believe) that was fermented like a red wine- with its skins and seeds. It was rich and golden in color, like a rich old white burgundy, and more viscous and alcoholic than a normal sauvignon blanc. Are any of you familiar with sauvignon blancs produced like this? Unfortunately I forgot to take down the information of the wine. I think I may write to the restaurant (Le Ciel at the Grand Hotel Wien). Thanks!

Robert

[SBonner]

Sounds possibly like a barrel fermented or malo fermented Sauvignon Blanc based on your description of the colour and textural richness. A number of Tuscan Sauvignon Blanc's are made in this style as well veering away from the NZ style.

Cheers,

Stephen Bonner

[Andre]

Three examples come to mind:

Sicilian Tasca Sauvignon that may or may not be blended with Insolia.

Israeli Sauvignon Blanc from the Tzoraa winery.

Sardigna style whites like the Vermentino though I am not sure if they use Sauvignon.

The examples above are unoaked.

Did you feel the wine had an oaky character to it ?

[Sneakeater]

I think the only grape in Vermentino is Vermentino.

[djsexyb]

just thought i would add that many Italian whites are feremented with the skins, seeds and althought this is not a common practise in the americas, it does produce a fantastic product. the name for this technique is called "Pazzo Fermentation," which if you know italian, you know Pazzo translates to "crazy" or "unorthodox." Randal Grahm from Bonny Doon has a pazzo chardonnay is his DEWN category in the shop bonny doon section of his website. check it out, its very good. ill throw up a WTN when i open the next bottle.

[Macarons&Mozart]

I emailed the hotel concierge (i couldnt find a direct email address to the restaurant) who responded that the wine was:

Uis Blancis, Sauvignon Blanc, Borc Dodòn, Fruili, Italy

I wrote back and asked for the year.

robert

[Snowy is dead]

That is excellent that they helped out.

Edited July 15, 2006 by Snowy is dead (log)

[Macarons&Mozart]

The Hotel just wrote me back with the year- its 2001. So here is the complete info:

Name: Uis Blancis

Domaine Borc Dodòn

Vintage: 2001

Grape: Sauvignon Blanc

Maker: Denis Montanar

Origin: Fruili, Italy

Edited July 16, 2006 by Macarons&Mozart (log)