2019 Sirk Collio Friulano Bianco (Italy/ Friuli/-Venezia/ Friulano/ White)

For our initial offering of a dry still white wine, we chose this fascinating project from Mitja Sirk, a winemaking prodigy who was born in Slovenia, started making wine in Italy at age 11 with famous Friulian winemaker Josko Gravner, staged with Barolo producer Conterno and then at legendary Burgundy domaines Dujac and Roulot, before returning to make his own wine at age 27 in Collio, one mile across the Italian border from his birthplace. He only makes one wine, and only about 800 cases per year, paying homage to the local varietal Friulano, exclusively from old vine Tocai. Friulano is known for its lively elegance and aromatics, has fresh fruit flavors of pear and quince with hints of anise and almonds, and a sharp finish. Sirk believes in making his wines in the classic way, in stainless steel for temperature control, using gentle pressing, native yeasts, with minimal skin contact, and long lees aging. This medium-bodied white is best served well-chilled.