Miani

Miani’s Enzo Pontoni is one of the best producers of white wines in Italy. His white (and red) wines have become absolute cult wines owing to a remarkable depth of flavour and concentrated texture, though they are never heavy or unbalanced.


In the Colli Orientali DOC, Miani sits on a hilly slice of the Udine province near Italy’s border with Slovenia. On a total of 13 hectares (4 are family owned), they cultivate Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Malvasia, and Friulano, as well as, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso. The vineyards are situated at an altitude from 100 to 300 meters above sea level, and the vine density is kept relatively low at  3000 plants per hectare. In the winter the vines are mercilessly pruned and the drastic green harvest leaves one or two bunches per vine. It is clear that revenue and profitability have never entered this winemaker’s agenda, while the manicured vineyards show intense passion for viticulture.


Enzo took over the family winemaking business after his father had passed away. Leaving his engineering career in order to dedicate himself fully to his new passion. At almost 7 feet tall, Enzo has a commanding presence and does not compromise when it comes to making wine: each year he only produces 9000 bottles, and all according to rigorous organic farming methods. He ages many of his wines in French oak barriques, and does not interfere with the natural temperature of fermentation.


His reds are complex and decadent, and his white wines are, for many experts, most likely not just the best in Friuli but perhaps in Italy.

All wines by this producer (8)

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Producer Fact SheetDetails

"OK, let’s see now: this outstanding, truly marvelous Ribolla Gialla wine is not orange in colour; it is not macerated to a point of caricature; it is not sparkling; it is not oaked to smithereens; and it doesn’t “naturally” smell like a horse’s armpit. In fact, it’s just a good, solid. Well-made white wine. In fact, it just happens to be one of Italy’s 10 best white wines. Miani’s Ribolla Gialla wine is made from 50+ years old vines and can age ten years or more easily, exuding truly memorable honeyed orchard fruit nuances and a glyceral richness. The 2020 ought to be available by now, so don’t miss it." 95 points, Ian D'Agata, Terroir Sense (December 2021)