Matteo Braidot Pinot Noir DOC Friuli 21

Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a region in Italy's extreme north-east, is a melting pot of Italian, Germanic, and Slavic cultures, clearly reflected in the region's unique wines. Wines from the region share and benefit from this diversity, resulting in clean, mineral-driven whites and light-bodied, focused reds.

The Braidot family have been stewards of the land in this part of Northern Italy since the late 1800s. Their multi-cultural approach to agriculture includes vegetable farming and forest management in addition to their 80 hectares of vineyards.

Over the last few years, the amount of Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero) planted in Northern Italy has been steadily on the rise. Warmer seasonal temperatures have tempted Vignerons to try Pinot Noir in the cooler northern regions. Their gamble is beginning to pay off, and they're now producing light and medium-bodied Pinot Noir of moderate alcohol levels in areas that were never conducive to viticulture.

The 2021 Braidot Pinot Nero is a beautifully light and lifted red and reminds me of a gorgeous entry-level French Pinot Noir from 20 or 30-plus years ago. The bright cherry and red fruits in the glass are delicately elegant yet finish with just enough structure for the dinner table. It's another terrific red to lead the way through the summer months!