A blend of Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano, the 2011 Friuli Isonzo Flors di Uis shows a slightly more streamlined and tonic in feel with bright aromas of white flower, peach, pear and crushed granite that waft elegantly from the bouquet. Very subtle mineral tones add a sense of sharpness. There’s no mistaking this for a thin wine, in fact the mouth-feel very much veers towards the creamy and fleshy side. The balance and aromatic intensity are absolutely spot-on. Drink: 2014-2018. Gianfranco Gallo makes some of the beautiful white wines available in Italy today. He has brilliantly captured the essence of Friuli thanks to the clarity of the aromas in his wines, from both indigenous and international grapes, and the profoundly moving manner in which they caress the palate. They are silky, smooth and delightful. The results also prove outstanding in the uneven 2011 vintage. Vie di Romans, to me, represents the pinnacle of Friuli winemaking pedigree. All these wines are imported to the United States except the Dut’Un white blend. Importer: Vias Imports, www.viaswine.com

The 2009 Flors di Uis, a blend of Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano, remains the flagship wine at Vie di Romans. Impeccably layered and nuanced, the 2009 impresses for its balance and overall sense of harmony. Jasmine, passion fruit and sweet spices come to life in the glass, followed by expressive floral notes that become more pronounced as the wine continues to open up. The warmth of the vintage has given the 2009 a bit more depth than is typical. Anticipated maturity: 2012-2016. Proprietor Gianfranco Gallo has a preference for rich, textured wines. In 2009, a year that saw a long heat wave at the end of August, many of his wines are even bigger than they usually are. The best selections, though, possess terrific overall balance. Vie di Romans has a fabulous website (www.viediromans.it) full of technical information on recent vintages and the estate’s wines, among other topics. Readers should be aware that Vie di Romans is owned by members of my wife's extended family. I have always viewed education as an important component of wine criticism. An article on Friuli without these wines would have been incomplete and ultimately the consumer would have been poorer for their exclusion. For those reasons I have chosen to include the wines in this report. Neither my wife nor I have any financial or other interest, direct or indirect, in this property. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

Flors di Uis is a gorgeous white blend of Malvasia Istriana, Friulano and Riesling Renano that opens with a complex bouquet of yellow flower, stone fruit and spice. The mouthfeel is generous and thick with long-lasting floral nuances spread over the finish. ——M.L.(3/1/2012)—— 92

The 2008 Flors di Uis is a blend of Malvasia, Chardonnay, Riesling and Tocai Friulano. Passion fruit, mango, freshly cut flowers and vanillin come together beautifully in this textured, vivid white. As is often the case, Flors di Uis is one of the most compelling whites in Friuli. Anticipated maturity: 2011-2016. This is a beautiful set of wines from Vie di Romans and proprietor Gianfranco Gallo. Vintage 2008 wasn't easy, which makes these wines all the more commendable. At press time I was notified that the estate's importer would change with the 2009 vintage. Readers should be aware that Vie di Romans is owned by members of my wife's extended family. I have always viewed education as an important component of wine criticism. An article on Friuli without these wines would have been incomplete and ultimately the consumer would have been poorer for their exclusion. For those reasons I have chosen to include the wines in this report. Neither my wife nor I have any financial or other interest, direct or indirect, in this property. Importer: Vias Imports, New York, NY; tel. (212) 629-0200

The 2007 Flor di Uis (Friulano, Riesling Renano and Malvasia) is one of the few wines in this lineup that achieves the level of elegance that readers have come to expect from Vie di Romans. Suggestions of passion fruit, mango, spices and flowers are woven together in an intricate, mid-weight frame. The wine offers outstanding length, with the Malvasia providing an attractive lift on the finish. Anticipated maturity: 2010-2013. Proprietor Gianfranco Gallo is one of the leading producers in Friuli. His wines typically seek a rich, lush expression of fruit. In 2007, though, many of the wines come across as overly heavy. Readers should be aware that Vie di Romans is owned by members of my wife’s extended family. I have always viewed education as an important component of wine criticism. An article on Friuli without these wines would have been incomplete and ultimately the consumer would have been poorer for their exclusion. For those reasons I have chosen to include the wines in this report. Neither my wife nor I have any financial or other interest, direct or indirect, in this property. A Marc de Grazia Selection, various American importers, including: de Grazia Imports; tel. (417) 732-4200; Michael Skurnik, Syosset, NY; (516) 677-9300, Estate Wines Ltd., San Rafael CA; (415) 492-9411, Giuliana Imports, Boulder CO; (303) 547-6343, Robert Houde Wines, Bensenville IL; (630) 422-1119