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These
are not
company brands,
but rather brands
that distinguish a particular product made by
companies within certain environmental, productive and
historical conditions and who “voluntarily”
accept to become subject to a control
system operated by associative organizations
(in this case the DOC Friuli
Isonzo consortium). Regulation
or discipline
of production
is obligatory. It entails a combination of
prescriptions which producers must stick to and therefore it is
the first way of guaranteeing the consumer the characteristics of
the product and the ways it has been produced. The Protection consortium
therefore promotes, utilises, controls and protects the brand.It
guarantees the type, quality and origin of the protected products,
in this case the wines called “RIVE ALTE” and “RIVE
DI GIARE”
The producers have to observe certain quality standards
and the related controls and checks. A foreseen obligation, for
whoever deposits a collective brand, is to attach a regulation of
use to the registration application. This must indicate the details
(and possibly also the applicable geographic zone: sub-zone) of
the those able to use the collective brand, as well as the qualitative
standards of the production procedures etc, which must be respected
for the products carrying this particular name on the label. The
aim of this project is linked to the identification of a territorial
situation which, in reality being present in the Isontina area,
can offer an opportunity for utilisation both from a technical and
commercial point of view.
The Isontini producers’ greatest commitment
is the selection of the vines most suitable for offering good qualitative
results and with personality linked to the “terroir”.
This is the concept that must be divulged to technicians, journalists,
restaurant owners and consumers.If some vines in particular sectors
of the territory, with defined models are able to yield notable
quality in comparison to others, then there is an opportunity of
undoubtedly technical interest, but which can now be used commercially.Studies
of ‘zonation’ have led to the division, into equal two
areas, of the terrain by the soil type and climate. In particular,
the ground to the right of the river is distinguished by non calcareous
soil, rich in noble clay mixed with red gravel, while to the left
of the river the soil is extremely calcareous due to the presence
of white gravel. The unifying element is the Isonzo river, which
constantly marks the territory with its passage, the displacement,
the alluvium and the washing away of noble organic substances. The
temperature is perfect thanks to the thermo-regulating action of
the sea and to the mountains that enclose the plain and prevent
the penetration of winds from the north. The area is ideal for the
production of predominantly white grapes, obtaining concentrated
wines with elegant and harmonious bouquets. Careful production of
red grapes can also give structure and colour to red wines with
intense, velvety flavours
The zone situated on the high plain, with soil
low in calcium, not completely permeable and in the presence of
red gravel, carries the name “RIVE ALTE”. Within its
limited confines, with vines trellised in the Guyot, Cordon Spur
or double inverted styles and with a minimum density of 4000 vines/hectare,
only Pinot grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Tocai friulano and Merlot
can be produced.The area situated to the left of the river and closer
to the sea, called “RIVE DI GIARE”, is mainly covered
with white gravel which makes the ground very calcareous with good
drainage and the varieties in production under these conditions
of the first sub-zone are Pinot grigio, Sauvignon, Malvasia istriana,
Refosco dal Peduncolo rosso and Merlot.
Every year a wine-tasting commission comprising
producers of the two brands, together with “opinion leaders”
from the sector, tastes all the wines under the name of the Collective
Brands. It will be an important moment of evaluation but above all,
an occasion for comparison and training for the companies involved
in the project.
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