4 minute read
PRIMOSIC:
PRIMOSIC: Tradition and Progress
Generations of excellence; a region with ancient roots and forward-thinking; and wines with character and soul that tell the story. Welcome to Primosic.
The Territory
Italian, yet with an identity that is Slovenian, German, Slavic, and Venetian, the gentle hills of the Collio Goriziano enjoys warm influences from the Adriatic Sea only 20 km south and cooling breezes from the northerly Bora winds. The Primosic home village of Oslavia and the neighbouring town of Gorizia are the centre of “Mitteleuropa” (Middle Europe), historically a beautiful, lush area of quality wine, olive oil, and fruits.
The Collio hills have nurtured grape varieties originally brought from France (such as Merlot and Chardonnay) as well as indigenous vines (Ribolla Gialla, Friulano and Refosco). “The Ribolla Gialla has always been our local variety and our local wine,” says Marko Primosic. Ribolla Gialla has also anchored the distinctive “Orange Wine” style, wine from a white grape fermented on its skins, offering powerful complexity.
The People
“Our family has lived in Oslavia for more than 500 years,” says Marko. “We are Italian citizens, but at home, we also speak Slovenian, and my grandparents spoke German.” During the 19th century, the area was part of the Austro-Hungarian empire and Marko’s grandfather, Carlo Primosic, transported his wines to Vienna 450km by railway, then by cart.
Carlo’s wines, the region, and its people were altered by wars and the re-drawing of national boundaries. The destruction of the first World War saw its hills, vineyards, and towns laid bare, its people facing the challenge of recovery in a new identity as part of Italy.
The Second World War brought new trials, and in 1956, these challenges came to 15-year-old Silvan Primosic, fatherless, who built the new Primosic winery and rebuilt their winemaking heritage. Sylvan embraced Ribolla Gialla with a new approach for fresh, young wine styles. His work led the Collio to awards and international recognition. In fact, Primosic has the distinction of producing the first bottle with the Collio DOC appellation.
Today Silvan’s sons Marko and Boris continue to work the Primosic magic, with Marko taking responsibility for the promotion of the winery abroad and Boris overseeing the cellar. Their approach is to treasure the equilibrium and strength of the vineyard ecosystem, encouraging biodiversity and using organic and sustainable practices. Silvan is still active, welcoming guests to the winery, and (according to his sons) remains the undisputed boss of the winery!
The Wines
Think Yellow is the Primosic tagline, referring to the vibrant colour of Ribolla Gialla. “I believe that Ribolla Gialla is the best symbol of our identity; it has always been here, it is an anchor that we cannot renounce, it is a thread that runs through our history and our tradition,” says Marko. “On the fragrant hills around our village of Oslavia, the ponca soils hold back the vigour of this vine and produce fragrant, complex fruit for noble wines.”
The Primosic collection focuses first on quality, working with Ribolla Gialla, Refosco, Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, and Merlot, as well as others. Wines express several winemaking philosophies linked to approaches for fresh, young wines; for Collio DOC wines showing some ageing; and for historic Oslavia Orange wines.
Two approaches with the same variety make these philosophies clear. The Pinot Grigio Friuli DOC (blue label), fermented in stainless steel, is crisp, fresh, and lively, a companion for salads, appetizers, or snacks. The Pinot Grigio Collio DOC, with fruit drawn from the Collio Goriziano hills and aged in old oak, shows more structure, minerality, and elegance, a beautiful pairing with pork, pasta, or a cheese and onion tart.
The flagship wine is “Klin,” named for the wedge-shaped vineyard that produces a field blend of Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Ribolla Gialla. The wine is produced with low interventions, natural ferments, and is aged 2 years in barrel for a wine of intensity, complexity, and vibrancy layered by exotic spices and Mediterranean herbal notes. Klin will transform a dinner of fish, prawns, or grilled chicken into a very special occasion.
The Primosic Orange wines are iconic skin-fermented, complex, textured wines of elegance, style, and vibrancy. With fruit drawn from special Collio crus, winemaking that respects the aromatic intensity and flavours of the grape skins, these are orange wines that set the contemporary standard. The textural complexity and aromatic intensity of the Friulano “Skin” Orange wine makes an amazingly beautiful companion for equally bold dishes.
Wine lovers agree that the best wines are not just technically beautiful; they have an intensity and energy that arrest conversation and continue to enchant long after the last sip. Primosic offers such an experience.
