Terre di Ger, the tradition of the future

Along with its classic line, the Friulana estate Terre di Ger also produces wines from resistant varieties.

The future has arrived in Grave del Friuli vineyards, a stone’s throw from Veneto. And its names are Merlot Khantus, Merlot Khorus, Fleurtai and Sauvignon Kretos. There is nothing exotic nor Georgian about them and they are the names of new varieties that are resistant to powdery mildew and peronospora developed over the past 20 years by the Vivai Cooperativi Rauscedo with the assistance of the Department of Genetics at the University of Udine.

The Terre di Ger estate is in Frattina di Pravisdomini, in the extreme western part of Friuli, and here aside from producing the area’s classic wines, like Refosco and Chardonnay, they also produce a white from Fleurtai and Sauvignon Kretos grapes and a (neo) red Bordeaux blend of Merlot Khantus and Merlot Khorus.

Resistant varieties are an authentic new frontier in winegrowing about which too little is said but it represents an example of the highest level of Italian ingenuity. Also, the new varietals are a valid response to the problem of the over use of antifungals in winegrowing. These are new varieties created from classic varieties that have been repeatedly cross-bred with Asian vines that are resistant to powdery mildew and peronospora (if you are interested in knowing more read my article HERE, while HERE you will find a more in-depth study).

In these new varieties the anti-powdery mildew and anti-peronospora genes have been transferred by cross-breeding and the results – glass in hand – are not only very interesting but in regard the definition of the bouquet and, above all, the intensity of the aroma represent an evolution in quality.

Let’s take a closer look at the Terre di Ger wines

The white Bianco delle Venezie Limine 2017 is a blend of 90% Fleurtai and 10% Sauvignon Kretos. Fleurtai is a cross-breed between Friulano and Asian varieties and has the potential of producing a fine white that can be consumed relatively young, while Kretos is a Sauvignon that is more fruity than herbal.

The red Rosso delle Venezie El Masut 2016 is a blend of 60% Khantus, a rather full-bodied Merlot that is peppery and herbal, and 40% Khorus, a Merlot with a significantly more tannic structure, making it almost like a Cabernet, yet it retains the distinct fruity element typical to the varietal (for more information on the varietals link HERE).

While it is impossible to draw definitive conclusions, one thing is already very clear: aside from the exceptional benefits to the environment (these grapes need only a couple of treatments a year), in the glass we find some pleasing wines and expressions of the varietals. This is above all true for the red, which is already a fine wine.

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