Malvasia 'Ottantanni', I Clivi

Malvasia is one of those magical grape varieties that, when in the hands of a brilliant producer, is complex, expressive, and seamless, all at the same time. Here, under the watchful eye of I Clivi, minimal intervention, biodynamic producer in Collio, Friuli, we get to taste it at the height of its expression. Lime zest, cooking apples, bitter almonds, dried sage and steel are all at play on the nose, giving way to a harmonious and enveloping palate. Citrus fruits dominate at first, quickly opening up to ripe apples and white peaches, and finishing with a slightly bitter savouriness that makes this such a great partner to so many foods.

Since the 1990s, I Clivi has been flying the flag for delicious wines coming out of Collio, one of the sub-regions in Friuli Venezia Giulia. Sitting slightly further towards that Adriatic sea than the more famous Colli Orientali, grapes in Collio enjoy greater maritime influence and warmer temperatures. This allows producers like I Clivi to cultivate some of the most concentrated, expressive Malvasia around. Known for its ability to deliver dried herbal notes alongside mouth-watering acidity, you'll be wowed by how much wine there is in I Clivi's bottles, they're amazing value!

I Clivi takes a very traditional approach to winemaking, they believe the grapes are best left to express their true selves without much intervention. All of their ferments are spontaneous, they don't add much sulphur during the winemaking processes, and they only very delicately filter before bottling. The result? Honest, expressive, delicious wines that are true reflections of this beautiful land.