On Thursday the 4th of November we are joined by Riccardo Caliari from Spolert Winery for the first episode of a new season of our talk show “Cellar Talks”. Riccardo will join us to talk about his career in wine, the winery, their great wines and the Friuli region in Italy
About Spolert
Spolert Winery is located in Prepotto in the Friuli Colli Orientali DOC (northeast of Italy). In 2018 Riccardo and his wife took over the winery after moving from Montalcino. First off, they expanded the vineyards and renovated the cellar, to take the winery to the next level.
In Prepotto they produce white, rose and red wines focusing on indigenous grapes that are typical for the region. They now own and operate approximately 8 hectares of vineyards, that are partially replanted. Some of the original plantings are up to 50 years old. Amongst their primary grapes are Friuliano, Schioppetino, Refosco, Ribolla and Merlot. In the winery they do not use oak or stainless steel but concrete tanks for the white and rose wines, and amphorae for the red wines.
About Riccardo
Riccardo did not inherit the winery or its grounds, he arrived here out by passion.
“My relationship with wines stems from my fascination of all which is contained and guarded. When I taste a wine, it excites me to think of the enological traditions of the place where it is produced, of the diversity of the terrains and the work of the man, namely the fully expressed Terroirs.
After an important experience in Montalcino, in Friuli Venezia Giulia, I found a stately and magnanimous plot, capable of giving versatile and complete wines, with an intense imprint of the place.
Spolert means 8 hectares of land, it means ponca, it means a combination of woods and river, alpine and sea breeze, it means wine tradition never completely asleep, soothed and awakened with the delicacy and firmness with which a child awakens to prepare him to go to school, to his future.
Richard, with the rationality of the engineer – combined with that enthusiasm that only passion for a project can give – has given new life to this corner of Friuli, and the whole playing field has reacted: from the dozing vines to the old house that has become a place of conviviality, to the new rooted cuttings that will become an amazing Chardonnay, to the people who work here.
About the Tasting
In the show we will also be tasting on of the Spolert premium wines; the Fausto. This wine is part of Spolert’s premium line and made out of 100% Friuliano grapes. If you want to join us for the tasting we have a local supplier in the Netherlands who sells this wine. You can find them here.
We are looking forward to talking to Riccardo and learning from his background, experiences and the winery. In the show we will also be tasting on of their wines; Fausto. Be sure to tune in on Instagram Live through our Dutch Wine Apprentice account on Thursday the 4th of November, 19:30h CET.
Click here for instructions on how to follow a live show on Instagram Live. If you have questions for our guest you are welcome to prepare them and e-mail them to us or send them as a direct message on our Instagram account.
You can find a link to the recording of the show here.
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