Ramandolo is one of three DOCG titles in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine region of northeastern Italy. The wine it covers is a sweet white nectar made from extremely ripe Verduzzo grapes. A full-bodied wine of great finesse, Ramandolo offers a fragrance of dried apricots, chestnuts and honey while providing a balance of tannins, acidity and sweetness.
The name Ramandolo was once used to describe sweet wines from all around Friuli's Colli Orientali – but since the Ramandolo DOCG was created in 2001 the name may only be legally used for wines produced in Nimis and Tarcento, two communes in the north of the Udine province. Ramandolo is the name of the neighborhood in Nimis from which the wine style originated.
The official Ramandolo viticultural area extends as far as Sedilis, a village in the Alpine foothills above Tarcento. The vineyards are located at altitudes of around 1250ft (381m) above sea level and form a rough amphitheater above Nimis. The steep gradients here make it impossible to machine harvest, so vineyards are managed and harvested almost entirely by hand. Perhaps not surprisingly, given the altitude, this is one of the coolest winegrowing zones in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.
Thanks to the Monte Bernardia hills, the vines are protected from the cold north winds blowing down from the Alps. They also benefit from the sunny aspect on the south-facing slopes, making this zone significantly milder than the surrounding area. The moderated climate leads to relatively mild winters, and although the summer months are a few degrees cooler than down on the Adriatic coastal plains, they are nonetheless warm. Seasonal variation is relatively mild, yet dramatic temperature drops at night ensure higher concentration of flavors in the grapes during the last stages of the growing season. Verduzzo's natural resistance to rot means the grapes can be left to sweeten on the vine for longer, as late as December in some seasons. This natural desiccation results in sweeter, more concentrated must, which brings added aroma and structure to the wine. Local vignerons (those who cultivate a vineyard for winemaking) consider the area's climate to be as important to the wine quality as the lime-rich soils, which consist of alternating strata of marl and sandstone. These mineral soils are known as flysch di Cormons, and help to create the ideal terroir for cultivating Verduzzo.
Ramandolo's fellow DOCG, Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit, also boasts a distinctive dessert wine, but made from Picolit grapes rather than Verduzzo.
