Zorzettig Ribolla Gialla

The Adriatic in a glass — bright, mineral and unmistakably Friulian.
There is a corner of northeastern Italy where the Alps meet the Adriatic and Italy almost feels like it is leaning into Slovenia. This is Friuli, home to some of Italy’s most distinctive white wines and to Ribolla Gialla, an old local grape that has been part of the region’s wine culture for centuries. In the hands of Zorzettig, it becomes a beautifully fresh, uncomplicated expression of the variety: crisp fruit, delicate flowers and a wonderfully clean, energetic finish.

Zorzettig’s vineyards lie in the Colli Orientali, the eastern hills around Cividale del Friuli. Here, the vines grow in the region’s famous ponca — layers of marl and sandstone formed from ancient marine sediments — while the hills are protected from colder Alpine winds and influenced by breezes coming up from the Adriatic. It is a combination that suits white grapes particularly well, helping preserve freshness while giving the wines a subtle mineral character and plenty of personality.

The wine itself keeps things beautifully simple. Fermented in stainless steel and matured for around six months in tank, it lets Ribolla Gialla speak without oak or heavy winemaking getting in the way. Fuji apple and yellow kiwi bring a crunchy, almost mouth-watering fruit character, while delicate acacia blossom adds a floral lift. It is light-bodied, fresh and direct — the sort of Italian white that feels equally at home beside a plate of seafood on the Adriatic or an easy dinner in Ireland.

Why we love it:
Ribolla Gialla has a lovely way of feeling familiar and completely different at the same time: bright and refreshing like the best Italian whites, but with its own slightly savoury, mineral edge and distinctive fruit character. Zorzettig keeps the style beautifully clean and understated, making this an easy bottle to enjoy while still offering plenty for the curious drinker to discover.