As you drive from Venice north and east toward the Slovenian border, you’ll eventually get to the vineyards of Collio and neighboring areas. They parallel the highway for miles, and really don’t end when you cross the border into Slovenia. The vines just continue. You’ll find the same varietals on both sides of the border, but for this review we stay on the Italian side, and review four wines from Azienda Agricola Ascevi Luwa. These are very traditional wines for this area, and some are not well known around the world. That’s a shame.
Ascevi Luwa was started in 1972. The vineyards have grown to over 30 hectares at this point, in both the Collio and Friuli Isonzo DOCs. This is a family run winery, and the next generation is already ingrained in the management and operation of the business.
They make both white and red wines at Ascevi Luwa, as well as a sparkling wine made from Ribolla Gialla, although this region is really known for its white wines. We have four of those to review. Let’s see what’s in the bottles.
2020 Ascevi Luwa Ribolla Gialla – D.O.C. Collio – this wine is straw colored, with a nose of citrus, pear and actually a hint of banana. We don’t use that descriptor very often. On the palate the wine has good body and structure, which is pretty typical for Ribolla Gialla. It produces a more significant white wine. The flavor profile is quite linear, with good mineral backbone. It finishes long and clean. This is a quality wine. SRP is $17.99. Its worth it.
2020 Ascevi Luwa Friulano – D.O.C. Friuli Isonzo – a pale, straw colored wine, this has a nose rich with peaches, nectarine and pear, as well as almond. It has good texture and some viscosity in the mouth. There are tropical notes, including pineapple, on the palate. This is very smooth, with good length. You get a touch of anise at the end. Nice wine. SRP is also $17.99.
2020 Ascevi Luwa ‘Grappoli’ Pinot Grigio – light straw in color, this has a nose of peach and pear, along with some tropical notes. This is another very smooth wine, which is also clean and bright. There is more texture and body than you get in many Pinot Grigios. It finishes long, and reminds me very much of the wines I sampled during my trip to Brda, Slovenia a few years ago. SRP here is $24.99. Not cheap for Pinot Grigio, but this is a superior example.
2020 Ascevi Luwa ‘Luana’ Pinot Grigio – here the nose is white fruit, peach, pear, apples and some floral. The palate is smooth and fresh, and stays clean throughout. There is some body. It really hits all the buttons, and is an excellent wine. Really like this. SRP of $17.99.
I developed a strong appreciation for the whites of this region some years ago during a week long trip just over the border into Slovenia. The Pinot Grigios can be sublime, as can the lesser known local grapes such as Ribolla Gialla. They definitely are worth trying.
A votre santé!
Leave a Reply