Ethereal Sauvignon Blanc from the Limestone Landscape of the Northern Adriatic

Mix and match any six bottles for special discount prices:
~$30 Edi Kante Sauvignon Blanc (Venezia Giulia 2013)
~$53 Edi Kante “Selezione” Sauvignon Blanc (Venezia Giulia 2009)

In the rugged Carso district in the far northeastern corner of Italy, Edi Kante is generally considered the forefather of quality winemaking in an area that many considered too difficult a terrain to invest in viticulture. This unique micro-climate is sandwiched between the Adriatic Sea to the south, the Alps to the north, the low hills of Collio to the west, and the Balkan peninsula to the east. The temperatures are cool at night and grey limestone is everywhere.

A child of these crossroads of Italian, Slovenian, and Croatian culture, Edi is a non-conformist at heart. He began to bottle the family estate’s wines by varietal in the late 1980s. After experimenting with various styles, including some pioneering efforts of the orange wine movement, he settled on the direction he has followed for almost two decades: Making pure, consistent wines that reflect their region, stand the test of time, and provide pleasure at the table.

His wines are frank, authentic and exemplary interpretations of the terroir. They mature for a year in older barrels, then six months or more in stainless steel on the lees, before being bottled unfiltered. All this takes place in an incredible three-story cellar carved by dynamite out of solid stone beneath his house.

~$30 Edi Kante Sauvignon Blanc (Venezia Giulia 2013)

The 2013 Sauvignon Blanc is in no way a blowsy grapefruit expression of the variety that one might find from warmer climates. Lemon essence, thyme and stone-filled grassy meadows greet the nose. That bright lemon vibe remains on the palate followed by salty minerality on the lengthy finish. It’s almost as if the wine was made from a parcel carved out of Sancerre and then placed high in the Alps. This kind of crisp purity in a white wine almost demands to be paired with some sweet flesh from the sea.

~$53 Edi Kante “Selezione” Sauvignon Blanc (Venezia Giulia 2009)

The most exciting part of Kante’s production are his “Selezione” wines that are only released in small quantities from select vintages. The 2009 Sauvignon Blanc “Selezione” bottling represents Edi Kante’s pick of the best barrels, aged an additional four years in tank after the customary year in neutral wood. It is easily one of the greatest wines from Friuli, and clearly a world-class Sauvignon Blanc that can be drunk upon release or aged for many years to come.

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Posted on 2017.04.12 in Saturday Sips Wines, Italy, Friuli Venezia Giulia