Wines

Prosecco who? This delightful vintage-dated sparkler from Friuli is your new Prosecco replacement. Bright, effusive, not too sweet, not too dry, just a perfect pour for the holiday and beyond. Mix it, chug it, pour it over heads in joyous celebration, this bad boy does it ALL.

95 Points! The Damijan 2021 Collio Ribolla Gialla shows a shiny golden color with deep orange hues and a bouquet shaped by extended skin contact, with orange peel, apricot marmalade and honey-coated almond. Ribolla Gialla, a historic Friulian variety known for its naturally high acidity and firm phenolic structure, lends itself especially well to maceration and gives the wine its grip and depth. This is one of those proverbial white wines that drinks like a red and could easily pair with roasted duck on the skin or even a glazed ham dotted with cloves, as the tannic bite in this full-bodied white cuts through richness and fat. The fruit undergoes two to three months of skin contact with spontaneous alcoholic and malolactic fermentations in conical tanks followed by three years of aging in botti grandi. The three hectares of vines are planted at 140 to 180 meters in elevation on Ponca flysch soils with southern exposure at a dense 8,000 plants per hectare. - Monia Larner, robertparker.com

94+ Points! The 2021 Ribolla Gialla wafts up with minty freshness, as nuances of lemon oil and wildflowers are complicated by a whiff of crushed stone. It is juicy up front yet quickly gains in tension as a liquid floral concentration builds and crisp orchard fruits cascade across its crunchy mineral core. Exotic spices resonate over a citrusy saturation as the 2021 finishes youthfully compact. As good as this is today, the best is yet to come. - Eric Guido, Vinous

96 Points! Gorgeous aromas of persimmons and spices as nutmeg, cinnamon, orange peel, and hints of caramel. Honey and apricot. Full-bodied, dry and layered with dried fruits such as apricots and pears. Botrytis spice. Fine silky phenolic texture and a flavorful finish. Layered and fascinating. Serve at 16 to 18 degrees centigrade. Drink or hold.- JamesSuckling.com

93 Points! Attractive aromas of waxy lemons, sliced apples and savory herbs lead to a medium- to full-bodied palate that is layered and textured, showcasing a sleek, lightly oily mouthfeel and vibrant acidity. Flavorful and persistent, it balances richness with elegance. Drink or hold. - JamesSuckling.com