Merlot – Tunella – 2022

The Merlot from the Tunella Winery

The Merlot from Cantina Tunella captures the essence of the Eastern Friuli Hills. This region, characterized by marl and sandstone of Eocene origin, known as “ponca,” provides an ideal environment for cultivating high-quality grapes. The meticulous attention to detail, from the vineyard to the winery, is reflected in every sip of this elegant and refined wine.

The Tunella winery grows all its grapes according to the canons of integrated anti-parasitic control with low environmental impact.

The Winemaking

The manual harvesting of Merlot grapes takes place in the last week of September, when they reach optimal sugar and phenolic ripeness. After destemming, the grapes are pressed, and the resulting must macerates with the skins. This phase is crucial for extracting color and noble tannins. Frequent pump-overs ensure excellent aroma extraction. After racking, the wine completes both alcoholic and malolactic fermentations, followed by appropriate racking. Maturation continues in the underground cellar until bottling, which occurs a year and a half after harvest.

Tasting the wine of the winery

Visually, the Merlot displays a deep and vibrant ruby red color, evolving towards garnet with aging. The nose offers a sweet and inviting bouquet, with notes of plum jam, tobacco, hay, and coffee. On the palate, the wine is dry, smooth, and savory, with a harmonious structure that enhances flavors of blackberries and plums. The varietal aromas are distinct, thanks to careful extraction during vinification.

Food Pairings

This Merlot from Cantina Tunella pairs ideally with grilled red meats, boiled dishes, stewed poultry and rabbit, roasts, and semi-aged cheeses. Its aromatic complexity and structure make it perfect for accompanying rich and savory dishes. Served at a temperature of 16-18 °C, this wine offers moments of genuine pleasure, enhancing every culinary experience.

THE  WINERY

At Cantina Tunella, history is written with passion and dedication. We are talking about winemakers who believe in doing things well, convinced that the words of a Friulian find expression in actions. For over fifty years, they have been producing wine of excellent quality. In Spessa, in the Colli Orientali del Friuli, grandfather Zorzettig, known as Min, began creating wines that attracted friends and acquaintances with their unmistakable taste…keep reading