The name: Tazzelenghe derives from Tàce-Lènghe, which in the local dialect means “cuts the tongue,” a reference to this variety’s amazingly high acidity levels and not-shy tannin concentrations that literally “cut the tongue”.

Where grown: In Friuli Venezia-Giulia it is at risk of disappearing. Today, it is grown mainly in the countryside around Buttrio, Manzano, and Cividale near Udine. The monovarietal wines are allowed in the DOC Colli Orientali del Friuli Tazzelenghe, otherwise the wine is included in some FVG IGT blends.

Viticulture: Medium sized bunches, with medium to large berries. It is a very vigorous and late ripening variety. Average disease resistance and dependable productivity.

Wine style: Elegant red wines that age extremely well. Deep purple hue, with intense aromas of violets and fresh blackberries, with more blackberry and black currant on the palate and delicate hints of roses, under-brush, and tar. As Tazzelenghe ages, it smoothes out and picks up complexity.

Bibliography

Italian Wine Unplugged (Positive Press, 2017), p.209