Ribolla Gialla: A Quick Overview

Ribolla Gialla has long been grown in Friuli Venezia Giulia -- documents dating to the XII century mention Ribolla del Collio, and Vitigni Italiani quotes one scholar who suspects it may in fact be Avola, a varietal introduced to the region by the Romans. It was (and is) widely planted in the Colli Orientali and Collio areas of the Province of Udine, as well as around Gorizia and into Slovenia, and in the 1800s, when Friuli Venezia Giulia was a province of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, sweet wines made from Ribolla Gialla were in great demand at Court.

I didn't encounter any sweet wines made with Ribolla when I tasted through Ribolla at Vinitaly this year -- the wines were all dry, and almost universally pleasingly fresh, which is a characteristic of the grape that leads to its being used in blends with both Tocai Friulano (now Friulano) and Malvasia, as well as in purezza. What I did encounter, in addition to still wines, was sparkling Ribolla, which can be quite pleasant, in a softer, less acidic key than one encounters with sparkling wines made from Chardonnay or the Pinots.

The wines, in the order tasted:

Paolo Venturini

Paolo Venturini Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Pale brassy white. The bouquet is fresh, with rich floral accents mingled with honeydew melon and hints of pungency. On the palate it's ample and soft, with moderate slightly greenish apricot fruit laced with honeydew melon and supported by moderate acidity. It's fairly direct, and will drink nicely as an aperitif, with simple fish or cheese based antipasti, and also with simple white meats or light fish dishes.
1 star

Humar

Humar Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Brassy yellow with slight greenish highlights. The bouquet is moderately intense, with white berry fruit and some floral accents supported by moderate pungency. On the palate it's ample and rather soft, with honeydew melon supported by moderate loquat acidity that flows into a delicate sweetish honeydew melon finish. It's simple and straight forward in a soft rather languid key, and will drink nicely as an aperitif.
1 star

Borgo Conventi

Borgo Conventi Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with white rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brought up some minerality and hints of honeydew melon . On the palate it's a bit more mineral, and with more acidity; it has mineral-laced apricot - honeydew melon fruit supported by warm acidity that flows into a clean fairly tart savory acidic finish. Pleasant and when the nose catches up to the palate (fall 2010) it will be enjoyable; by comparison with many it has more direction and acidity, and will drink better with foods, e.g. fish-based risotto or pasta dishes.
2 stars

Blazic

Blazic Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Brassy white with brassy reflections. The bouquet is fairly tart, with minerality and some green apricot mingled with slight heather and sage. On the palate it's ample and softer than I expected from the nose, with minerality supported by languid glycerin and slight acidity that flow into a clean soft finish. It will work nicely as an aperitif or with delicately flavored fish.
1 star

Pighin

Pighin Ribolla Gialla Collio 2009
Pale brassy yellow iw brilliant brassy reflections. Pleasant bouquet with delicate floral accents mingled with some savory notes and light spice, On the palate it's bright, with fresh lemony loquat fruit supported by clean citric acidity that flows into a fairly long citric-mineral finish with hints of sage. Pleasant, and though light is agile and blessed with good direction. It will drink well as an aperitif with fish, or cheese, or cold cuts, and will also be nice with risotti, vegetable or fish pasta sauces, and stewed or grilled fish. Worth seeking out.
2 stars

Muzic

Muzic Ribolla Gialla DOC 2008
Brassy gold with brassy reflections. the bouquet is fairly intense, with gunflint and bitter accents mingled with spice and some alcohol. Clearly more mature than the other wines, and this is due to its greater age. On the palate it's fairly rich, in a languid key with warm slightly savory loquat fruit supported by loquat acidity that flows into a fairly long loquat finish with a sweetish underpinning. Pleasant, and will work nicely as an aperitif or with cheese or egg based antipasti, simple fish, and because of the sweetish underpinning, with moderately spiced Chinese dishes, say of the Cantonese school.
2 stars

Gradnik

Gradnik Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2007
Pale brassy gold with slightly greenish highlights. The bouquet is fairly intense, with considerable pungency and white pear; the pungency brings wet ash to mind and is rather pleasant, On the palate it's ample and soft, with fairly intense minerality that gains zest from white pepper and a degree of languidity from slight sweetness, and flows into a clean mineral finish in which sweetness gradually steps aside for bitterness. It's fairly direct, and will drink well as an aperitif, though the minerality and bitter final accents will go nicely with fish too. As it opens the pungency and ash fade, giving way to honeydew melon, while the palate becomes more languid. It's a softer expression, and this is in part its age.
2 stars

Primosic

Primosic Ribolla di Oslavia Riserva Collio DOC 2007
Lively brassy gold with brilliant greenish brassy highlights and white rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with some caramel and butterscotch mingled with minerality and some honeydew melon. On the palate it's ample and languid, with moderately intense minerality supported by slight honeysuckle and warm delicate loquat warmth more than acidity, which flows into a fairly long warm mineral finish. The delicate loquat warmth is intriguing, and invites reflection; it grew upon me and I would be tempted to serve it as an aperitif or with delicate fish dishes. Or cold cuts, in particular cooked hams.
2 stars

Colli di Poianis

Colli di Poianis Vigna dei Zuccoli Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2009
Pale brassy yellow with brassy greenish reflections. The bouquet is intense and herbal, with sage mingled with loquat and fairly rich mineral acidity. Pleasant. On the palate it's full and more languid than I had expected from the nose, with ample languid loquat fruit laced with honeysuckle that flows into a soft honeysuckle-laced finish. Pleasant in a fairly rich, delicate key, and will drink nicely as an aperitif, or, because of its relative sweetness (it is in any case dry), with oriental dishes in which the spicing will play off the hints of sweetness.
2 stars

Le Vigne di Zamò

Le Vigne di Zamò Rosazzo Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with brassy reflections. The bouquet is muted; swishing brings up some minerality but it is clearly under bottle shock. On the palate it's ample and soft with green loquats supported by some savory accents. Direct and up front, and when the nose catches up with the palate it be a nice, simple aperitif, or accompany simple fish dishes.
1 star

La Magnolia

La Magnolia Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with brassy reflections and white rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with smoky minerality, some savory accents, and hints of loquat. Nice depth, and both loquats and savory accents increase as it opens. On the palate it's ample, with fairly rich mineral-laced loquat fruit supported by mineral acidity that flows into a long warm mineral finish. Graceful, and will be quite nice as an aperitif, or with crustaceans, rich fish, and also fish or vegetable risotti and pasta dishes, green pasta sauces, and delicate oriental dishes. Worth seeking out.
2 stars

Borgo delle Betulle

Borgo delle Betulle Vigna Cedronella Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2008
Brassy yellowish white with brassy reflections and white rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with minerality and pungent white pear mingled with some spice and fairly rich cool airiness. On the palate it's ample and quite mineral with languid minerality and smooth mineral acidity that flows into a long mineral finish; it's granitic, and delicate, with sufficient acidity to follow a course but far from tart, and if you like the style, which is quite smooth and unaggressive, you will like it.
2 stars

Scarabolo

Scarbolo Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2009
Brassy white with brassy reflections and white rim. The bouquet is clean and fresh, with some loquat and honeydew melon supported by hints of sweetness that confer a languid feel. On the palate it's ample, with fairly rich minerality supported by loquat fruit and some bitter mineral acidity that flow into a clean rather languid mineral finish. Direct, but pleasant, and will work well as an aperitif or with simple fish, while the soft sweetish underpinning will make it a good bet with oriental dishes too.
1 star

Il Roncal

Il Roncal Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with brassy reflections. The bouquet is elegant, with floral accents and spice mingled with loquat and white pear, with underlying minerality. Nice balance and fairly rich. On the palate it's ample with fairly rich minerality that starts slow but is mouthfilling in a soft key with some citric accents as well, and flows into a clean soft savory mineral finish. Graceful, in a fairly soft key, and will drink nicely with fish or as an aperitif, with mildly flavored antipasti, as it is a delicate wine.
2 stars

Cadibon

Cadibon Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2008
Brassy white with brilliant greenish highlights. The bouquet is moderately intense, with pungent white pear mingled with fresh spice and some savory notes and citrus minerality. On the palate it's fairly rich, with languid loquat berry fruit supported by clean bright mineral acidity that flows into a clean savory finish. Delicate, and will work nicely as an aperitif or with simple mildly flavored fish dishes. It will be perfect in the proper setting.
2 stars

Eugenio Collavini

Eugenio Collavini Ribolla Gialla Vino Spumante di Qualità Brut 2006
Brassy white with brilliant brassy reflections and fine white perlage. The bouquet is elegant with dusky sour lemon/loquat supported by savory acidity and some greenish sage and herbal accents. Pleasant. On the palate it's ample and fairly creamy, with loquat-laced minerality supported by some butterscotch sweetness that tempers the savory notes and gives greater fullness, while flowing into a fairly long peppery finish. It's pleasant and will work quite well as aperitif, though you have to like softer sparkling wines that aren't driven by acidity, because it doesn't have the acidity one finds in, for example, many Pinot Noir based sparkling wines. But it does display a pleasing freshness, and if you like the style is enjoyable.
2 stars

Eugenio Collavini Torian Ribolla Gialla Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC 2008
Brilliant brassy gold with golden reflections. The bouquet is fairly rich, with loquat fruit supported by clean minerality and some airy spice. Pleasant to sniff. On the palate it's ample, with soft sweet loquat fruit supported by clean savory accents and moderate acidity, which flow into a clean savory loquat finish. It has more acidity than some Ribollas, which provides more direction, but remains a delicate wine that will drink well with mildly flavored grilled or roasted fish, delicate risotti and pasta dishes, and also will be a bet with more mildly flavored oriental dishes.
2 stars

Livon

Livon Solarco Collio Bianco DOC 2009
This is a blend of Friulano and Ribolla Gialla; it's straw yellow and has a fairly rich bouquet with honeydew melon and loquat supported by clean bright greenish acidity and delicate floral accents that emerge with force, bringing honey with them. Quite nice, with quite a bit to say. On the palate it's ample and fairly rich, with languid honeydew melon fruit supported by loquat acidity and some minerality that flows into a fairly long loquat finish. It's pleasant, and will work nicely as an aperitif or with cheese or green vegetable-based pasta dishes and risotti, or with creamy fish, and, thanks to the sweetness of the fruit in the finish I'd also be tempted to serve it with mildly spiced oriental dishes.
2 stars

Note: Solarco derives from Sole and Arco, sun and arch, after a house with an arch one can see the vineyards through. This is the second vintage in which Solarco is a blend. In the past Collio Bianco also had Malvasia Istriana, and this harkens back to that tradition.

Livon Tenuta Roncalto Ribolla Gialla 2008
The vineyard is at the top of the Collina di Ruttazzi, with a southerly exposure that guarantees sun all day long. The wine, which is aged 80% in steel and 20% in tonneaux, is a lively brassy greenish yellow with white rim, and has a delicate bouquet with slight loquat acidity and some pungency mingled with honeydew melon, some minerality, and very slight butterscotch. Opens nicely and is pleasant to sniff. On the palate it's ample and soft with honey-laced loquat fruit supported by acacia and deft acidity that's more fruit driven than mineral, and flows into a clean mineral finish. Pleasant, and will work quite well with simple antipasti, steamed fish, and green vegetable pasta or risotto dishes; I would also be tempted to swerve it with moderately spiced Oriental dishes. Worth seeking out.
2 stars

Livon Braide Alte delle Venezie IGT 2007
This is a bend of Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Picolit and Moscato Giallo that is barrel fermented and aged. It's a vineyard wine; the term Braide means an agricultural terrain adjacent to a canalone or gully, and is just below the hilltop that yields the Ribolla Gialla. The vineyard is planted to 7000 vines/hectare, and yields about 50 quintali per hectare. The wine is classified IGT because Collio doesn't contemplate the blend. Brassy gold with green reflections and white rim. The bouquet is powerful, with deft greenish accents and butterscotch with honey and greenish vegetal accents, as well as acacia, brambles, and bitterness, a combination that brings to mind bright sun on a crisp day. A lot going on, and young too. On the palate it's rich, with languid butterscotch-laced white berry fruit that combines loquat and gooseberry with a degree of languidity and is supported by smooth delicate acidity and tannins from wood that flow into a fairly long clean greenish gooseberry finish with savory underpinning. Pleasant, in a rich fairly international key, and will work well with a variety of dishes, ranging from roast fish through creamy white meats, and also with such things as asparagus risotto or chicken pot pie; because of the sweetness in the finish it will also be nice with oriental dishes, and I would expect it to be long-lived. Give it a year or two -- or more -- to develop. Worth seeking out.
88-90

Gradis'ciutta

Gradis'ciutta Collio Ribolla Gialla 2009
Tank sample from steel.
Brilliant brassy white with bright brassy reflections. The bouquet is fairly intense with delicate minerality supported by hints of banana, which are fruit-yeast interaction, and acacia and hoiney as well. Pleasant and has quite a bit to say in a graceful key. On the palate it's full and rich, with clean bright acacia and loquat fruit laced with minerality and underlying sweetness. Graceful, in a fairly sweet key, and will work quite well as an aperitif or with simple, not too flavorful egg, white meat, or fish dishes. Since it's unbottled no score, but it will be quite pleasant upon release.

Furlan Gianfranco

Furlan Castelcosa Ribolla Gialla Collio 2009
Brassy yellow with pale white rim and brassy reflections. The bouquet is fairly intense, and more mineral than many, with iodine and some sea salt more than acacia. Not as clean as some. On the palate it's full, with fairly rich savory minerality supported by delicate loquat acidity and by smooth deft tannins from grapes, as well as savory accents. The nose is up in the air, in a more pungent, old-style key than many. In short, it's in mid-stride.
2 stars

A tank sample of the wine is more pungent, with savory accents, bitter spice, and leesy notes, what in Italian is called feccioso. On the palate it's bright, and fairly mineral, flowing into a languid, delicate acacia blossom finish. Interesting, and gives an idea of what the bottled wine will be when it has recovered from having been bottled -- much improved with respect to now.

Toblâr

Toblâr Ribolla Gialla IGT Delle Venezie 2009
This is produced by a bottler who buys wines. It's brassy gold with brilliant reflections, and has a closed bouquet, though swishing did bring up some leafy accents and spice. On the palate it's richer than some, with acacia honey-laced loquat fruit that's fairly sweet supported by clean loquat acidity that flows into a clean bright loquat finish. Pleasant in a fairly direct key, and when the nose catches up with the palate will be a good food wine.
1 star

Toblâr Specogna Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2009
Tank sample.
Brilliant brassy gold with brassy reflections. The bouquet is fairly intense, with spice and acacia mingledwi some herbal accents. On the palate it's full and rich, and delicate, with clean berry fruit acidity It will be pleasant in a fairly direct key when it's bottled.

Toblâr Ribolla Gialla Vino Spumante Extra Dry
Non-vintage. Pale brassy white with brassy reflections and fine perlage. The bouquet is spicy, with hints of wood smoke and some creamy acacia blossoms mingled with mineral accents. On the palate it's ample and soft, with fairly bright berry fruit supported by moderate acidity and by sparkle that's more peppery than creamy, and flows into a semi-sweet peppery finish. Quite direct, and will work well as an apritif; it's not dry but does have lively acidity.
1 star

Perusini

Perusini Ronchi di Gramogliano Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with brilliant brassy reflections and white rim. The bouquet is muted, though swishing brings up some honeysuckle and slight spice, with hints of loquat with time. On the palate it's fairly rich, with clean bright loquat and acacia fruit supported by some honey and deft mineral acidity that's fairly delicate, and flows into a pleasantly delicate finish. Quite nice, and will work well as an aperitif or with simple fish dishes or similar. Worth seeking out.
2 stars

Perussini Ronchi di Gramogliano Brut Vino Spumante
Non-vintage; this is a blend of Ribolla Gialla and Chardonnay, and is the fourth vintage -- they say they are still refining their aim. Pale brassy gold with fine perlage that bubbles up lazily. The bouquet is dusky, with greenish accents and dried apples mingling with spice and savory notes, and a certain airiness. On the palate it's full and fairly rich, with dried apple fruit supported by apple sweetness and creamy sparkle that flow into a peppery finish. It's not bone dry, and while it does have the acidity necessary for direction, it's not really bracing. It will work nicely as an aperitif or with foods, and si something to consider if you find Champagne to be too acidic.
2 stars

Visintini

Visintini Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with brassy reflections. The bouquet is fairly rich, with acacia and loquat fruit supported by some dusky mineral acidity and a degree of sweetness too. On the palate it's ample and fairly rich, with loquat acacia fruit supported by honey sweetness and fairly languid acidity that flows into a clean delicate loquat finish. Graceful, and will be pleasant as an aperitif or with simple fish, and will also age nicely for a couple of years. Worth seeking out.
2 stars

Vini La Delizia

Vini La Delizia Vignal Ribolla Gialla Vino Spumante Brut
This is a new wine, in its first (non-vintage) edition. Pale brassy white with brassy reflections and white rim; the perlage is fine. The bouquet is airy, with acacia blossoms and some sage supported by minerality and hints of loquat. On the palate it's ample and soft, with creamy sparkle and delicate honey-laced acacia and minerality that flow into a clean mineral finish. Graceful in a direct, rather up-front key, and will drink well as an aperitif; its competition would be Prosecco, and it meets the challenge quite well.
2 stars

Ronchi di San Giuseppe

Ronchi di San Giuseppe Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2009
Pale brassy yellow with brassy reflections and pale white rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with acacia blossoms and minerality laced with some sweetness and greenish accents; nice depth and though still developing is pleasant. On the palate it's ample with delicate loquat fruit laced with hiney overtones and supported by bright loquat acidity that flows into a clean fresh loquat finish. Pleasant and will be quite nice as an aperitif; it will also drink well with simple risotti -- greens based -- or pasta dishes, and with cold cuts. Worth seeking out.
2 stars

Valentino Butussi

Valentino Butussi Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2008
Pale brassy white with brassy reflections. The bouquet is moderately intense, with some berry fruit and bitter accents mingled with acacia. On the palate it's fairly rich, with bright loquat fruit supported by greenish loquat acidity that flows into a fairly tart loquat-laced finish. Pleasant, and more of a food wine than something to serve as an aperitif; it will work quite well with fish or green-vegetable based risotti or pasta dishes, and also has the acidity necessary for flavorful grilled, or even fried fish. Expect it to go quickly.
2 stars

Puiatti

Puiatti Ruttars Single Vineyard Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with brilliant brassy reflections. the bouquet is moderately intense, with honey, acacia and minerality mingled with some deft savory accents. On the palate it's ample and quite soft with mineral acidity supported by acacia and loquat, flowing into a clean fairly bright mineral finish that gains direction from some loquat acidity. Pleasant in a soft key and will work well as an aperitif.
2 stars

Puiatti Ribolla Gialla Extra Brut Metodo Classico
Non-Vintage
Pale brassy white with fine perlage. The bouquet is intense, with bitter accents and gunflint mingled with sea salt; nice depth. On the palate it's full and though not bone dry fairly dry with languid minerality supported by creamy peppery sparkle and some sweet mineral accents that flow into a clean mineral finish. It's more complex than the other sparkling Ribolla Gialla wines I tasted, and is a wine that will be a nice bet if you want sparkle but want something softer than the bracing acidity of a dry Champagne or Franciacorta.
2 stars

Forchir

Forchir Ribolla Gialla Vino Spumante Brut
Non-vintage
Pale brassy white with brassy reflections and fine perlage. The bouquet is spicy, with some sweetish accents and hints of sage. Nice balance. On the palate it's soft and moderately rich, with clean fresh loquat fruit supported by smooth white berry fruit and slight acidity, while the sparkle provides a certain creaminess, and it all flows into a clean fairly bitter finish. Pleasant and a nice alternative to Prosecco; it will drink well at poolside or as an aperitif.
1 star

Forchir Ribolla Gialla delle Venezie IGT 2009
This is an IGT because they are in Grave del Friuli, whose appellations don't contemplate Ribolla. The must spends a night cryomacerating on the skins to enhance its aromas, and is lively brassy gold with bright greenish reflections. The bouquet is fairly intense, with elegant loquat supported by acacia and some honey mingled with clean heather, sage, and bright spice. On the palate it's ample and soft, with pleasant honey-laced loquat fruit supported by acacia and soft loquat acidity that flows into a clean smooth fairly soft loquat finish. Pleasant, and will be a nice aperitif with delicate cheese or vegetable antipasti. It grew upon me.
2 stars

La Tunella

La Tunella Bianco Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2009
Pale brassy yellow with greenish highlights. The bouquet is fairly intense, with savory accents mingled with loquats and some honeysuckle, also acacia and sweet hay. On the palate it's ample, and fairly rich in a soft key with honeysuckle and slight minerality supported by some white berry fruit that flows into a clean sweetish honeysuckle-laced finish. Pleasant in a softer key, and will drink nicely as an aperitif or with delicately flavored fish, and will also be nice by the glass. Direct, up front, and its rich honey-laced floral freshness is pleasant.
2 stars

Collutta

Collutta Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2009
This was late harvested, when the grapes were very ripe, and is a tank sample. It's brassy yellow with brilliant brassy reflections, and has a pleasant bouquet with bitter honey, savory accents, and some acacia . Nice balance and promising. On the palate it's ample and soft with fairly bright white berry fruit supported by more savory minerality than present in many, and this is a result of the time spent on the lees. Promising, and will have nice depth and balance, and be richer and brighter, with livelier acidity, than is the norm for Ribolla Gialla.
2 stars

Ronco dei Tassi

Ronco dei Tassi Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Pale brassy yellow with brassy reflections and white rim. The bouquet is quite young, and a bit unsettled -- it had been just bottled -- though spice, acacia, and minerality do emerge. On the palate it's fairly rich, with soft mineral-laced sweet loquat fruit supported by dusky bitterness that flows into a clean rather bitter finish with some sweetness and underlying softness. Pleasant, and when it has come together (fall 2010) will drink nicely as an aperitif or with fish that are not too fatty; I could also see it working well with sushi. Worth seeking out.
2 stars

Ronco dei Tassi Columello La Grotta Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
This is from a new vineyard about 15 km from the Ronco dei Tassi, and is pale brassy yellow with brassy greenish reflections and white rim. The bouquet is moderately intense, with spice and some greenish accents underlain by alcohol. Still developing. On the palate it's ample and soft, with fairly bright loquat fruit supported by peppery acidity that flows into a clean loquat finish. It's quite direct and up front, and the simplicity is in part due to the youth of the vineyard. It will work nicely with flavorful not too fatty fish, including sushi, and similar.
1 star

Matteo Braidot

Matteo Braidot Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Tank sample.
Brassy white with brassy rim. The bouquet is fairly rich, with some gooseberry that's a bit atypical, laced with warmth, loquat and hay. On the palate it's fairly rich, with smooth sweetish loquat fruit that has distinct gooseberry accents, some peppery spice, and is supported by smooth mineral acidity that flows into a clean soft finish. Pleasant, and will work nicely as an aperitif or with fish, and because of its relative sweetness and smooth fruit-laced softness, will be a good bet with Oriental dishes, in particular sushi.

Anselmi Giuseppe & Luigi

Anselmi Ribolla Gialla Spumante Extra Dry
Non-vintage, but 2008
Pale brassy gold with brilliant golden reflections and fine white perlage. The bouquet is airy, with some dusky bitterness and sparkle supported by hints of acacia and savory notes. On the palate it's full and quite soft, with pleasant very creamy sparkle that flows into a fairly long clean soft acacia and loquat finish. Pleasant, and will be an excellent alternative to Prosecco, and also a good bet if you don't like the bracing acidity of a Champagne. It's best as an aperitif, or for toasting, because it's a bit too soft for foods.
2 stars

Anselmi Ribolla Gialla Delle Venezie IGT 2009
Lively brassy white with brilliant brassy reflections and white rim. More charged than many. The bouquet is very young, with acacia and spice mingled with some greenish accents and deft heather. On the palate it's full and quite soft with fairly intense loquat and acacia fruit supported by smooth deft loquat acidity and a degree of sweetness, which flows into a clean sweetish finish. Fairly direct, but this is in part youth. Pleasant and will drink nicely with fish, in particular sushi.
2 stars

Anselmi La Reguta Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Brilliant brassy gold with lively brassy highlights. The bouquet is very young, with white berry fruit supported by some sea salt, peppery spice, and some citric accents and sage; there is also some loquat, though the citric notes are more apparent. On the palate it's full, with elegant honey-laced loquat fruit supported by considerable soft warmth that flows into a warm loquat finish. It's a bit more intense than the IGT, with slightly brighter acidity and more body, and displays greater depth and elegance. A fine wine for fish, and in particular sushi.
2 stars

Livio Felluga

Livio Felluga Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2009
Brassy yellow with greenish brassy reflections and white rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, and very young, with savory notes mingled with acacia blossoms and some spice. On the palate it's ample and fairly rich, with moderately intense loquat fruit supported by considerable languidity and smooth savory accents that flow into a clean fairly direct savory finish. A pleasant, albeit direct interpretation of Ribolla Gialla; I'd have liked a little more airy sweetness.
1 star

La Rajade

La Rajade Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Pale brassy white with brilliant reflections. The bouquet is mineral, with some spice; it's also very young and needs time. On the palate it's bright, with fairly rich loquat fruit supported by dusky acidity and flows into a clean rather savory finish with underlying bitter heather. It's in mid stride to the point that a score will be misleading; if the nose develops to meet the palate it will be pleasant.

Conte D'Attemis - Maniago

Conte D'Attemis - Maniago Ribolla Gialla COF 2004
Pale greenish brassy white with brilliant greenish reflections. The bouquet is fairly rich, with honeydew melon and some spice mingled with loquat and slight greenish minerality. On the palate it's ample, and soft, with fairly intense loquat fruit that's languid at the outset, and then develops qarm loquat acidity that flows into a clean fresh loquat finish with considerable warmth. A powerful expression of Ribolla better suited to foods than as an aperitif, and in addition to the standard fish/cold cut pairings, will be nice with oriental dishes, including those from more flavorful schools. It has a story to tell.
2 stars

Conte D'Attemis - Manziago Ribula Brut Vino Spumante Brut
Non-vintage.
Brassy white with greenish highlights and ifne perlage. The bouquet is mineral, with some hints of breadcrumbs supported by dusky spice. On the palate it's ample and smooth, with more minerality than fruit, while the sparkle confers a pleasant creaminess, while, in the finish, warm loquat acidity that gains definition from savory accents emerges from the sparkle. Pleasant, though a touch more richness of fruit would have been nice; it's a good aperitif if you like sparkling wines that aren't as biting as Pinot Noir can be. It grew upon me.
2 stars

Canus

Canus Ribolla Gialla Brut
Non-vintage
Brilliant brassy gold with brassy reflections and white rim, and fine perlage. The bouquet is fairly rich, with honeydew melon and some spice mingled with acacia and slight airiness. On the palate it's full and fresh with clean mineral laced acacia supported by minerality and some sweetness that flow into a fresh, slightly sweet finish. Quite pleasant, and will drink very well as an aperitif; it's a good alternative to a high-end Prosecco.
2 stars

Canus Ribolla Gialla COF DOC 2008
Brassy white with brilliant brassy reflections, and some greenish notes. The bouquet is fresh, with elegant pear fruit laced with acacia and dried leaves, supported by slight spice and underbrush. On the palate it's ample and rather smoky, with fruit that's fairly soft loquat supported by smoky bitter acidity that flows into a clean bitter finish. It's drier than some, and even allowing for an addition year of age, is harder and duskier, while the finish is decidedly savory. A more intense and mineral interpretation of the varietal.
2 stars

Canus Ribuèle Blàncie COF Doc 2005
This spends 6 months on its lees, and is then racked onto the lees of the basic Ribolla, and is also aged in tonneaux. It's lively brassy gold with lively greenish brassy reflections, and has a powerful bouquet with a fair amount of cedar and also yeasty aromas, some spice, and brandied butterscotch. Very different from a young Ribolla. On the palate it's ample and quite smooth with clean fresh minerality and warmth that flow into a clean mineral finish. Pleasant in a richer, more powerful key; it is quite different on the palate too with respect to a young Ribolla, with considerably more depth, power and acidity, and though there is a certain languor to it, the languor is mineral, not sweet. It will work well with creamy cheeses, stewed fish, and is quite pleasant, but a step above and beyond most Ribolla.
88-90

Isodoro Polencic

Isodoro Plencic Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2009
Pale brassy gold with brilliant brassy reflections and white rim. The bouquet is fairly intense, with acacia and clean minerality mingled with leaves and spice. Nice balance. On the palate it's ample, with fairly rich minerality supported by warmth and some spice, which flow into a clean mineral finish. Fairly graceful in a light, decidedly mineral key, and will work well as an aperitif or with egg or fish-based dishes, including shellfish (mollusks in particular). A nice expression of Ribolla in a mineral key.
2 stars

Emeran Reya

Emeran Reya Goriska Brda Rebula
This is Slovenian, and was tasted at La Bellanotte's booth; it's brassy gold with brilliant golden reflections and has a fairly intense bouquet with rather pungent sour lemony white berry fruit supported by spice and some greenish accents, and also some petroleum. On the palate it's ample and soft with bright lemony fruit supported by languid acidity that flows into a clean tart finish. Quite direct, but pleasant in a slightly more rustic key, and will drink well with flavorful fish or creamy meats.
1 star

Ronco di Zegla

Ronco di Zegla Ribolla Gialla Collio DOC 2005
This is a late harvested wine, whose grapes were golden when picked, and that spent 8 days on the skins before fermenting, followed by 18 months in new tonneaux. The wine is amber with brilliant golden reflections, and has a rich bouquet with candied white berry fruit -- almost toffee -- supported by oaky accents and a fair amount of spice. Over the top but harmonious, and it does have a story to tell. On the palate it's ample and dry with considerable leafy minerality supported by mineral acidity and warmth that flow into a warm mineral finish. Pleasant though very different from the average Ribolla, to the point that the two can't be easily compared. It will drink well with cheesy dishes, and cold cuts, and could work as an aperitif. It takes things to extremes, and it works.
2 stars

Stanig

Stanig Ribollicine Millesimato Extra Dry 2009
This is a Metodo Charmat, and is white with fine intense perlage. The bouquet is fresh with some herbal accents and spice mingled with minerality and dried leaves. On the palate it's ample and soft, with rich honeydew melon and loquat fruit supported by creamy sparkle and warm loquat acidity that fade into lasting warmth. Quite pleasant, and will work well as an aperitif or with simple antipasti, and will also be nice in the hotter months.
2 stars