{"title":"Merlot Riserva Friuli","description":"\u003cp\u003eFriuli Merlot Riserva is one of the most elegant expressions of this international grape variety in Italy: an organic Friulian DOC with aromas of plum, ripe cherry, cocoa, and fine spices, resulting from extended aging that adds complexity and depth. In this selection, you'll find Friuli Merlot Riserva online, chosen from small organic producers who work the vineyard with respect and bottle without shortcuts.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhat is the best organic Friuli Merlot?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrganic Friuli Merlot Riserva stands out for its balanced structure, tannins smoothed by aging, and a freshness that clearly differentiates it from New World Merlots. Our producers work with spontaneous fermentations, indigenous yeasts, and minimal sulfites, enhancing the Friulian terroir without corrective interventions in the cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePairings and service\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal temperature: 16–18 °C, with at least 30 minutes of decanting\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eIdeal dishes: wine-braised meat, roasted beef, aged Montasio cheeses, game\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003cli\u003eAlso excellent with traditional Friulian dishes such as frico and polenta with mushrooms\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003eDiscover our selection of organic Friuli Merlot Riserva and support the small Friulian winemakers who every year express the best of this territory.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/albiocorini.com\/collections\/all\"\u003eExplore the entire selection →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"merlot-riserva-friuli","title":"Merlot Riserva DOC BIO Friuli","description":"\u003cp\u003eMerlot Riserva DOC BIO Friuli is produced by \u003cstrong\u003eSimon di Brazzan\u003c\/strong\u003e, an organic winery in Cormons, in the heart of the Friulian Collio. Merlot in Friuli has a long and deep-rooted history — introduced in the 19th century, it has perfectly adapted to the region's clay and limestone soils, yielding wines of great structure and complexity, very different from Bordeaux or Tuscan Merlots. Simon di Brazzan's Riserva version is the result of rigorous selection and prolonged aging, which enhances its depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe winemaking is traditional and respectful of the varietal: manual selection, gentle destemming, fermentation in a 25-hectoliter truncated conical vat for 25 days with indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation. Then, 24 months of aging in large barrels. A process that requires patience — and it is clearly evident in the glass.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe color is intense ruby red with garnet reflections. On the nose, plum, ripe cherry, cocoa, sweet spices, and a balsamic note. On the palate, soft and enveloping, with silky tannins and a surprisingly elegant structure. Long and persistent finish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eGrape Varietal:\u003c\/em\u003e Merlot 100% | \u003cem\u003eVintage:\u003c\/em\u003e 2021 | \u003cem\u003eAlcohol:\u003c\/em\u003e 14.5% | \u003cem\u003eFormat:\u003c\/em\u003e 0.75 l\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eServing Temperature:\u003c\/em\u003e 16–18°C\u003cbr\u003e\u003cem\u003eWinemaking:\u003c\/em\u003e Manual selection, fermentation in 25 hl truncated conical vat for 25 days with indigenous yeasts, malolactic fermentation. 24 months in large barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eRecommended For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThose who appreciate soft and enveloping reds with structure and complexity, and want to discover what Merlot can achieve in the clay soils of Friuli — a completely different version from Bordeaux or Tuscan styles. It's the right bottle for an important occasion or for those who want a red with character without the aggressive tannicity of Cabernet or Lagrein.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhen to Drink\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is already enjoyable today thanks to the 24 months in large barrels that have softened the tannins, but it has all the characteristics to evolve beautifully for another 5-8 years if stored correctly. Decant it 30 minutes before serving to open up its aromatic complexity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFlavor Profile\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eA soft and enveloping Merlot, where the richness of the fruit — plum, ripe cherry, cocoa — integrates with the structure from 24 months in large barrels and the minerality of the Friulian Collio. The tannins are silky and never aggressive. The finish is long, persistent, with a balsamic note that emerges with oxygenation.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWhy We Chose This Wine\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eBecause Simon di Brazzan's Merlot Riserva demonstrates that Friuli can produce high-quality Merlots — distinctive, more elegant, and territorial compared to international benchmarks. The 25 days of fermentation with indigenous yeasts and the 24 months in large barrels are precise choices that yield complexity and depth. We offer it because it aligns with our selection criteria: organic, identified territory, serious aging.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFAQ\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat dishes pair well with Merlot Riserva DOC BIO Friuli?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eRoasts of red meat, game, aged cured meats, hard cheeses. Also excellent with risotto with ragù and more elaborate traditional Friulian dishes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy is Friulian Merlot different from Bordeaux Merlot?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eThe clay and limestone soils of Collio and Friuli's continental climate give Merlot a structure and minerality different from those of the Gironde. The result is a fresher, more savory wine with a distinct aromatic complexity — less fruity and more territorial.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhy does it ferment for 25 days?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eExtended fermentation in a truncated conical vat with indigenous yeasts optimally extracts color, structure, and aromatic complexity. The 25 days allow for complete maceration, which gives the wine the necessary structure to withstand 24 months in large barrels.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs it a certified organic wine?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes. Simon di Brazzan is a certified organic winery in the Friulian Collio. No synthetic pesticides in the vineyard, indigenous yeasts in the cellar.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"SIMON DI BRAZZAN","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":52265775989063,"sku":"A-SB-MER21","price":17.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0864\/8025\/7351\/files\/MerlotRiservaDOCBIOFriuli_Sito.png?v=1756910449"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0864\/8025\/7351\/collections\/merlot-riserva-friuli-bottiglia-con-etichetta.png?v=1784578856","url":"https:\/\/albiocorini.com\/en\/collections\/merlot-riserva-friuli.oembed","provider":"ALBio Corini","version":"1.0","type":"link"}