Azienda Agricola Specogna
2021
Identità Friulano/Malvasia/Ribolla Gialla, Specogna
View details →£41.15
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Azienda Agricola Specogna
1 wine on the Azienda Agricola Specogna shelf, chosen one at a time.
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Azienda Agricola Specogna
1 wines on the shelf
Azionda Agricola Specogna owns 25 hectares of organically farmed vineyard on the hill of Rocca Bernarda in the Colli Orientali DOC, Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Brothers Michele and Cristian Specogna tend the vines themselves, which are planted in a spectacular amphitheatre formation. Their commitment to organic viticulture means the quality of fruit arriving at the winery is impeccable—which allows them to pursue winemaking techniques that extract maximum flavour and complexity from every grape.
About Azienda Agricola Specogna
The Specogna family's defining technique is extended skin maceration before fermentation. Their flagship Pinot Grigio Ramato undergoes 18–24 hours on skins, giving it a distinctive coppery colour and remarkable flavour intensity. This style is fashionable today, but Specogna has made it this way consistently for decades. The fruit comes from old vines on the classic 'ponca' soils of Rocca Bernarda, which contribute mineral depth and natural structure.
The Ribolla Gialla displays this house character too: spicy and refreshing, with stone fruit aromatics and bright citrus notes that create a crisp, elegant finish. The Friulano is a powerful white wine with a white pepper spice and aromas derived from exotic stone fruits, while the Refosco delivers similar intensity and personality when vinified as a red. For those seeking aged complexity, the Pinot Grigio Riserva is sourced from vines over 50 years old, fermented on skins in oak and aged in barrel for a full 24 months, then cellared in bottle to achieve further maturation. The result is a rounded, generous wine with textured, mineral length.
The 'Identità' blend represents the estate's commitment to older vines and traditional methods. It combines Friulano, Malvasia, and Ribolla Gialla from 76-year-old vines. After harvest, these grapes undergo simultaneous vinification, then rest for 12 months on lees in 500-litre demi-muids without filtration. A further 12 months in bottle precedes release. On the palate, this wine expresses delicious fruit and spice notes alongside lively acidity, finishing with smooth, nutty character and impressive mineral length.
Azienda Agricola Specogna Wines in Our Collection
The 2024 Friulano (91pts overall; James Suckling 93) is your entry point to the house style—a white with green, flinty character and white pepper spice that pairs well with everyday meals and lighter occasions. The 2024 Pinot Grigio Ramato (91pts Jancis Robinson) is the signature wine: that coppery-coloured skin-macerated expression that justifies the family's reputation. It's equally at home as an aperitif or with food.
The 2024 Ribolla Gialla (91pts James Suckling) offers ripe stone fruit and citrus complexity in a crisp, dry frame—ideal if you want freshness with substance. For serious dining, the 2021 Pinot Grigio Riserva (92pts Jancis Robinson, 92pts James Suckling, 93pts Decanter, 95pts Luca Maroni) showcases what time and old vines achieve: rounded generosity with textured palate weight and mineral length. The 2023 Refosco (89pts) rounds out the range for those who prefer red wine.
Food Pairing
The Friulano and Ribolla Gialla work brilliantly with seafood pasta, risotto with white wine, and creamy chicken dishes. The Pinot Grigio Ramato's slight skin tannins suit cured meats, aged cheeses, and roasted fish. The Pinot Grigio Riserva demands something more elaborate—think roasted veal, wild mushroom dishes, or aged hard cheeses where its textured, mineral finish can shine. The Refosco pairs with hearty meat stews and rich tomato-based dishes.
What makes Specogna's Pinot Grigio different from standard versions?
Specogna macerates the skins for 18–24 hours before fermentation, giving the wine a coppery colour, remarkable flavour intensity, and subtle tannin texture. This is their traditional method, not a modern trend.
Are Specogna's vineyards certified organic?
Yes. Michele and Cristian Specogna farm their 25 hectares on Rocca Bernarda organically, ensuring impeccable fruit quality for winemaking.
Which Specogna wine should I buy for cellaring?
The Pinot Grigio Riserva (2021) is aged 24 months in barrel plus 12+ months in bottle. It scores 95pts (Luca Maroni) and develops rounded, generous character with mineral length over time.
Who makes Azienda Agricola Specogna wines?
Brothers Michele and Cristian Specogna own and tend 25 hectares of organically farmed vineyard on Rocca Bernarda hill in Colli Orientali DOC, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, northeast Italy.
What style of wine does Azienda Agricola Specogna make?
Specogna specializes in skin-macerated whites and rosés from Friuli varieties: Pinot Grigio Ramato, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Refosco. Their Pinot Grigio Ramato scores 91pts and gains coppery colour and intensity from 18–24 hours on skins.
How much does Azienda Agricola Specogna wine cost?
Their wines range between £19.65 and £42.50. Entry-level bottlings cost around £20; aged reserves and the Riserva reach £42–£42.50.
Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.