Pinot Grigio, 2020. Mussio

Giuseppe Mussio was born in a commune of in Northern Italy's Fruili region in 1894. He was 13 when WWI was threatening so he and his family boarded a ship to the U.S. and ended up in San Francisco. He worked throughout the 1920's and 30's, finally opening a restaurant called Bar Nevada that became a social gathering for other Italian Immigrants. After 40 years in America, Giuseppe decided to move back to his Friuli homeland and pursue his passion for Italian wines. This selection embraces that passion.

Fruili is one of Italy's best kept wine secrets. Part of the reason is that it is very small and lumped in with the Veneto, which enjoys a much larger reputation. However, the main reason is that the truly great wines of Friuli are white in a country that produces 70% red. It may not be fair, but it is what it is. Very few would argue that the finest whites come from Fruili. Certainly, Pinot Grigio is the most recognized, but it is also the most derided. The grape is planted in every state in Italy and is the most prolific white wine in the country. That's a problem for Fruili because most of them are simple, easy drinking wines while Fruili is crafting the best there is.

Mussio is one of them. Once you've tasted Fruili Pinot Grigio, you know there's something different here. The body is imposing. It makes a statement no other area could produce. From the guava and peach to the earth and toasted hazelnuts, it pleases on every point.

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