As part of the Interreg Italy–Slovenia IRRIGAVIT project, on May 8th, 2025, the second Italian tasting of experimental wines from the 2024 vintage took place at the conference hall of Villa Nachini Cabassi in Corno di Rosazzo (Italy). The tasting was organized by Mariano Paladin, director of the Consortium for the Protection of Friuli Colli Orientali and Ramandolo Wines, and Prof. Paolo Sivilotti of the University of Udine – Di4A, the project’s Lead Partner. The event involved a selected panel of 26 participants belonging to the project’s target group (oenologists, producers, associated partners). 21 participants took part actively in the sensory evaluation, including:
- Producers and wine sector representatives:
Anastasia Durt (La Sclusa), Luca Canciani (Enoteca Canciani), Carlo Maria Fossaluzza (Colmello di Grotta), Michele Specogna (Specogna Vini), Francesco Spittaleri (Conte d’Attimis), Elisabetta Bracco (Bracco 1881), Cristian Specogna (Azienda Agricola Specogna), Marta Iacuzzi (Jacuss), Valter Scarbolo (Azienda Agraria Scarbolo), Mariano Paladin (director of the Colli Orientali Consortium) - Researchers and technicians:
Paolo Sivilotti, Giacomo Massutti, Mirco Sodini, Filippo Maria Sanna (University of Udine); Davide Mosetti (independent agronomist); Serena Tomada and Michele Fabbro (ERSA FVG); Rodolfo Rizzi (Rauscedo Cooperative) - Institutions and representatives:
Barbara Zilli (Regional Finance Councillor, Friuli Venezia Giulia Region); Loris Basso (former Mayor of the Municipality of Rosazzo, Duke of the Duchy of Friulian Wines, and "Ambassador for Wine Cities"); Elena Clarin (representing the DOC Friuli Aquileia Consortium)
On this occasion, Prof. Paolo Sivilotti prepared a dedicated sensory evaluation sheet and conducted the introductory presentation. Eight wine samples from experimental irrigation trials carried out at the Pantianicco vineyard (Beano di Codroipo) were tasted, where four water deficit strategies were tested on two varieties: Pinot Grigio (still wine) and Glera (micro-sparkling). The strategies compared were: irrigated control, mild deficit, moderate deficit, and severe deficit. Deficit levels were defined based on plant water status, following guidelines provided by the DSS Vintel system, adopted in the project for precision viticulture. The initial tasting results confirm the researchers’ hypotheses. Sensory data are currently being processed and will be compared with laboratory analyses to be included in the final report, along with data from previous tastings and the two Slovenian ones.
Due to bad weather, it was not possible to carry out the planned visit to the cover crop demonstration at the vineyard of Azienda Agricola Specogna. The scheduled technical presentation was therefore held inside Villa Nachini Cabassi, before the tasting, by Giacomo Massutti (UNIUD) and Mirko Sodini (UNIUD).
The event received excellent media coverage at local, regional, and national level, both in the press and on social media. The presence of Councillor of the FVG Region Barbara Zilli highlighted the importance of cross-border cooperation in a sector as relevant as viticulture. (Telefriuli, Il Friuli, FVG.TV, Euroregione News, Nordest24, FVG Region press releases, EU Parliamentary Agency).
