Miani

Miani is, for many, the greatest white wine producer in Italy. Such is the demand for these wines that they are extremely difficult to find. Described by Antonio Galloni as “one of the crown jewels in the world of wine”, this is an estate with a cult following among collectors around the world. These are rare, highly distinctive wines that are well-worth seeking out.

The Miani estate lies in the northwesterly region of Colli Orientali dei Friuli. On these slopes, proprietor Enzo Pontoni fashions a range of wines that are tense, ageworthy and extraordinarily complex. Running the estate almost single-handedly, he is known for his meticulous attention to detail. A mixture of indigenous and international varieties grow on the calcerous clay and sandstone soils here, known as ponca, and Pontoni farms the vineyards are organically to bring out terroir expression. Yields are kept low by a combination of severe green harvest and ruthless sorting. This gives deeply concentrated fruit.

In the winery, Pontoni ferments the grapes without temperature control, and the wines are matured in French oak. The whites are barrel-fermented to give richness but they are also taut and mineral. Varieties include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and a little Friulano, Ribolla and Malvasia. Although the estate is renowned for its whites, deep complex reds are also made primarily from Refosco and Merlot.

Fewer than 700 cases of these outstanding wines are made each year. Unsurprisingly, they are in high demand.