Just one more example of why I like JonBonne's writings in the SFChron. Today's article is on RibollaGiallo in Calif, describing GeorgeVare's efforts w/ the grape and his enthusiasm for sharing the crop around to interesting winemakers who will do something interesting w/ the grape:
SFCHron:Bonne On RibollaGiallo
Interesting that they've already had a meeting of RGAP (RibollaGiallo Advocates & Producers). They'll probably have a humongeous tasting at FtMason next year, thousands will be there....you, too, can follow RibollaGiallo from the very start!!!
One thing interesting from Jon's article is that RG has rather tannic skins. I presume that's the reason it's often used in making orange wines. I've had a few from Gravner and Radikon. They have been...ahhhhh...interesting wines. But you gotta think outside the box on those. But I've had a fair number from Friuli and Slovenia, made in a conventional style, that are quite lovely wines. Oftentimes thay are blended w/ Friuliano (formerly Tokai Friuliano afore those uppity Hungarians protested that usage because those light/delicate TokajiFriulianos were devasting the sales of Tokaji wine because everyone was confusing the two).
There's another grape that deserves pursuing in Calif. There used to be a lot of SauvignonVert, which is Friuliano, planted in Calif. MikeOfficer is making some from old vine stuff at Bedrock. It's not clear if he can label it as Friuliano or not.
Anyway...highly recommended read by JonBonne.
Tom