WTN: Schioppettino

Schioppettino is not a grape I'm terribly familiar with even though it's not even a genuinely obscure variety. But I noticed an Eugenio Collavini Turian Schioppettino 2012 (13,5% abv; c.25€; DOC Friuli Colli Orientali) and always excited by something new, I bought it. I have no idea if this is a good or typical Schioppettino but I like it. The scent is really unique: herbaceous, some kind of aromatic wood (camphor?) but not oaky, dark fruit, earthy. It doesn't seem terribly high in either tannin or acidity but is still very moreish and refreshing with the kind of saliva-inducing flavour that Szechuan peppers have. Sweet but gentle, aged fruit, almost as if a 2012 were a mature wine? Is this aged for the grape? Anyway, this was a really fun acquaintance and I think I want to try it soon again - I have this vague idea that the grape might move from acquaintance to friend. Does this sound at all like what Schioppettino should be?

[Robin Garr]

I spent a wonderful day in Schioppettino some time back, visiting a young wine-making couple at their winery all morning, and then eating and drinking away the afternoon in the village trattoria with plenty of Schioppettino and a little grappa. I don't remember the details very well. Your description sounds reasonable, though, as to the herbaceousness and gentle red fruit.

[David M. Bueker]

Matthiasson makes a version from Napa Valley fruit that is a very un-Napa wine. A quick search will turn up notes from Tom Hill, and perhaps one from me for a comparison.

Sounds about right, Saina. I love Schioppettino for its herbal/mineral/black pepper/black cherry cola character and savory character.
It was brought back from extinction by Paola Rapuzzi and his son, Ivan, makes one of the best at Ronchi di Cialla.
Tom