Attems Chardonnay 2023
Country
Italy
Region
Friuli Venezia Giulia
Grape Varieties
Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla
Sustainability
Sustainable Certification
Wine Types
Still, White
About Attems
Attems is a historic Friuli Venezia Giulia wine estate based in Capriva del Friuli, in the Collio area of north-eastern Italy. With documented viticultural roots dating back to 1106, Attems is known for precise, expressive Friuli wine made from Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay. For the UK wine trade, Attems wine offers a clear route into one of Italy’s important white wine regions, combining regional heritage with a contemporary, terroir-led style.
The Attems name is closely linked to the history of wine in Friuli. Historical documents confirm the Attems family’s ownership of land dedicated to viticulture in Collio as far back as 1106, while later records reference the production of local varieties including Ribolla Gialla and Refosco. This gives the estate a depth of regional credibility that few producers can match.
Heritage
In the twentieth century, Count Douglas Attems played an important role in the modern development of Collio. In 1964, he founded the Consorzio dei Vini del Collio, helping to build recognition for the region’s vineyards and wines. Since 2000, Attems has been owned by the Frescobaldi family, who have continued the estate’s work with respect for its Friulian identity, native grapes and distinctive growing conditions.
Region and Vineyards
Collio: a natural home for aromatic white wines
Attems is based in Friuli Venezia Giulia, close to Italy’s north-eastern border. The estate’s vineyards benefit from a unique meeting point of influences: the cooling effect of the Alps, the moderating presence of the Adriatic Sea and the complex soils of Collio. These conditions are particularly suited to white wines with aromatic definition, freshness and mineral tension.
Friuli is one of Italy’s strongest regions for premium white wine, and Attems reflects this strength through both native and international varieties. Ribolla Gialla offers regional identity and texture, while Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay provide styles that are highly recognisable to the UK trade. This balance makes Attems useful for buyers seeking Friuli Venezia Giulia wine with both commercial accessibility and regional authenticity.
Viticulture and Winemaking
Respect for balance in vineyard and cellar
Attems places emphasis on the balance between vine, soil and climate. The estate’s philosophy is to avoid interventions that obscure the natural character of the terroir. Vineyard work is carried out with attention to biodiversity and the specific needs of each variety, with the aim of preserving acidity, aromatic clarity and textural precision.
In the cellar, the approach is focused and controlled. For white wines, careful handling helps retain freshness, varietal purity and aromatic lift. Stainless steel is central to preserving crisp fruit and mineral definition, while selected wines may use more textural winemaking to add depth without overpowering the natural identity of the grape. The result is a range that feels modern, clean and distinctly Friulian.
Style of Wine
Best known for producing elegant, terroir-driven white wines, Attems expresses the distinctive character of the Collio DOC through its unique ponca soils, which impart remarkable minerality, freshness and complexity. At the pinnacle of the portfolio are the estate’s two single-vineyard wines: Cicinis, a benchmark Sauvignon Blanc celebrated for its precision, complexity and outstanding ageing potential, and Trebes, an exceptional expression of Ribolla Gialla, one of Friuli’s most iconic native varieties.
Together, these flagship wines showcase Attems’ commitment to expressing the individuality of its finest vineyard sites while highlighting both the international and indigenous grape heritage of the region.
Beyond these flagship wines, the range showcases purity, finesse and food-friendly style for which Friuli is internationally renowned. Attems’ Pinot Grigio offers a refined, textured interpretation of this globally recognised variety, moving well beyond the neutral style often associated with the grape. Chardonnay balances ripe fruit, freshness and mineral precision, while the wider Sauvignon Blanc range further demonstrates why Collio is considered one of Italy’s premier regions for the variety.
A Friuli benchmark in the UK wine trade
On the wine list, Attems can strengthen the Italian white wine section beyond Pinot Grigio alone. The range supports by-the-glass listings, premium seafood pairings and regional discovery flights, while Ribolla Gialla help fill gaps with authentic Friuli variety from a trusted historic estate.
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