Carat

Vineyard and terroir

Carat comes from a 1.9111 ha vineyard in Farra d’Isonzo, Gorizia province, identified on cadastral maps 6 and 10 as parcel 152/17. The south-facing rows run northeast–southwest. The vines were planted in 1990 at 4,630 plants per hectare, with spacing of 2.70 × 0.80 m, and are trained to unilateral Guyot with four or five buds per cane. Light summer trimming maintains the balance between foliage and bunches; the vineyard is not fertilised.

The ancient hillside soils are 35–55 million years old and of Eocene origin. Clay predominates, accompanied by abundant calcareous schistose marl and layers of quartz-feldspar sandstone. The limited organic matter and nutrients restrain vegetative growth.

Grapes

A traditional blend of Tocai Friulano, Malvasia and Ribolla Gialla from the Collio or Collio Goriziano DOC zone. Rootstocks are SO 4 Cl. 74 and SO 4 Kl. 31 Op.; selections are R14, VCR 4 and Rib. The yield is 3,500 kg/ha, approximately 0.8 kg per vine.

Vinification

The grapes are harvested late and exclusively by hand, with timing adjusted to the ripening curve. They are destemmed and gently pressed. Fermentation proceeds with the skins for 20–25 days at a controlled 19–21°C, accompanied by slow maceration and frequent délestage.

After separation from the skins, the must is divided between 225 L barriques and 2,000 L oak casks.

Ageing

The two components remain on their lees in barriques and large oak casks for approximately three years, with daily bâtonnage. They are then reunited in 316 stainless-steel tanks for another two to three months before bottling. The bottles are stored in groups of 500 inside large chests in temperature-controlled warehouses for further maturation. This method is intended to give the white wine a long ageing trajectory.

Technical data

Alcohol: 13% vol. Total acidity: 5.60 g/L. Total SO₂: 47 mg/L.

Tasting profile

Yellow-amber in colour. The bouquet is delicate and inviting, combining apricot, peach and melon with a subtle almond note. Ageing in small and large oak contributes balance and reveals nuances of acacia and honey. The palate is lively, harmonious, silky and fruit-driven, with an emphasis on finesse.

Label / history

Carat interprets the traditional Collio blend of Tocai Friulano, Malvasia and Ribolla Gialla, varieties long associated with the area’s sandstone-marl hillsides.