2007 CARSO TERRANO - Zidarich - Friuli ITALY - RED - natural

The Terrano is made with the Refosco grape grown in the characteristic red soil. The peculiar quality of the sun of the Carso area contribute to the wine's particular characteristics. Low in alcohol, it is sometimes prescribed by doctors to cure digestive problems as well as patients who need iron, because its acidity is thought to be beneficial.



Carso is a limestone-rich plateau that extends out from the city of Trieste and reaches toward the Julian Alps to the north.

The heavy limestone content of the soils likely gave the zone its name (Carso is thought to be derived from a Celtic word meaning “land of rock”), and it lends the wines, both white and red, a firm acidic backbone and mouth-watering minerality. On the white side, this means flinty, fragrant accompaniments to fresh seafood in Trieste, Muggia, and other fishing towns along Friuli’s Adriatic basin, while the red Terrano is a high-acid companion to the heartier, Slavic-and-Austrian-inflected food further inland (you’d be surprised how good a tart, tongue-piercing red like Terrano can be as a contrast to the richness of Stinco di Vitello).

The Azienda Zidarich is located in Prepotto, near Duino Aurisina, which is a small and characteristic village of the Carso area. The landscape is extremely varied and stimulating. The vegetation of the environment is very different and enhances the peculiarity of this territory dedicated to viticulture. Jagged chalky rock is the keynote of Carso viticulture, which is carried out on small terraces of red, iron-rich soil that have been reclaimed from the woodland. This lends the wines the characteristic acidity and mineral notes.

The Terrano wine is traditionally found exclusively in the very restricted area of the Carsic region. The characteristic red soil, the microclimate and the altitude give unique characteristics to this wine.