Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
EGO comes from 3.0032 hectares at Corona, a hamlet of Mariano del Friuli in the province of Gorizia. The holdings extend across cadastral parcels 1362 (part), 1369, 1403, 1387, 1389/1 (part) and 1390/1 (part), on land-registry sheets 1, 3, 4 and 5. Plantings date from 1976, 1982, 1983, 1989 and 2005.
The soils have a calcareous mineral base with abundant iron oxides but limited organic matter and other nutrients. These conditions slow vine growth and keep production very low. The vineyard faces south, with rows running northwest–south. Vines are spaced at 2.70 × 0.80 m, for a density of 4,630 vines per hectare, and trained to unilateral Guyot with four to five buds per cane. A light green harvest improves the balance between canopy and fruit. No fertiliser is used. Rootstocks include SO4 and Kl. 31 Op.; the clonal material includes Friuli Venezia Giulia selections, Ferrari selections, 331, 332, 623 and 214 Antav, 337 Entav and R5.
Grapes
A blend of Schioppettino and Cabernet; proportions are not specified. Venezia Giulia IGT. Yield is 3,500–3,700 kg per hectare, or 0.8–0.9 kg per vine.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested exclusively by hand when very mature, almost at late-harvest ripeness, with timing adapted to the maturation pattern of each variety. Each grape type is destemmed and gently pressed separately. Alcoholic fermentation includes 30 days of skin maceration, with two to three délestages daily and a controlled maximum temperature of 25°C. After racking, secondary fermentation proceeds slowly in fine-grained 225-litre French oak barriques. The component wines are then assembled in stainless-steel tanks.
Ageing
After blending, EGO matures for three years in 20-hl oak casks. It is then bottled and refined for another 15 months in a temperature-controlled cellar. Long maceration and elevated fixed acidity underpin its capacity for extended ageing.
Tasting profile
The texture is intensely velvety. Berry aromas lead into musk and pepper, then gradually evolve towards toasted oak and goudron, truffle and aromatic woods.
Label / history
The name EGO means “me” in ancient Latin. The wine is conceived as an expression of native grapes, local origins and the accumulated craft of more than ten generations of the Bressan family.
