Vodopivec, Solo MM19 2019

Vodopivec Solo MM19 2019 is the purest expression of Paolo Vodopivec’s vision for Vitovska and skin-contact white wine. Sourced from a single, hand-planted vineyard in the limestone-rich hills of Friuli, this orange wine captures the raw character and quiet power of its terroir. It’s a contemplative, cellar-worthy bottle that balances depth, structure, and drinkability in a way that has made Vodopivec a reference point for serious orange wine lovers.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Solo 2019 shows a deep golden to amber hue, with a gentle haze that hints at its minimal intervention and extended skin contact. The nose is immediately expressive: caramelized lemon peel, bergamot, dried orchard fruit and quince mingle with notes of chamomile tea, wild herbs, and a subtle saline edge. Hints of honeycomb, crushed stone and delicate spice emerge with air, giving the wine a layered, evolving aromatic profile. On the palate, this Vitovska is textural and structured, yet remarkably poised. Elegant, fine-grained tannins frame flavors of candied citrus, preserved lemon, dried apricot and yellow plum, alongside notes of toasted almond, herbal tea and a faint smoky-mineral nuance. The acidity is bright and linear, cutting through the wine’s concentration and drawing out a long, savory finish with citrus pith and sea salt. Already compelling, the 2019 has the balance and structure to evolve beautifully over 8–12 years, gaining further complexity and integration with time in bottle.

Production
The fruit for Solo comes from a single, carefully selected vineyard that Paolo Vodopivec planted himself on the stony karst soils of Friuli, where thin topsoil sits over fractured limestone and pockets of red clay. This rugged terroir naturally limits yields and concentrates flavor, while the proximity to the Adriatic brings cooling breezes and a marked diurnal shift. Grapes are farmed with a deep emphasis on soil health and biodiversity, harvested by hand at optimal ripeness, and rigorously sorted in the vineyard and cellar. In keeping with Vodopivec’s philosophy, fermentation occurs spontaneously with native yeasts, and the wine undergoes extended maceration on the skins, extracting delicate tannins and complex aromatics. Aging takes place in neutral vessels, often large casks or amphora-like containers, allowing the wine to develop texture and depth without the imprint of new oak, with minimal interventions and very low, if any, additions of sulfur before bottling.

Food & Serving
Solo MM19 2019 is a natural partner for thoughtfully prepared, savory dishes that can stand up to its structure and tannin. It shines with grilled or roasted seafood (especially octopus, monkfish, or turbot), shellfish stews, and richly flavored fish crudos. Its tannic frame and herbal-citrus profile also make it excellent with roasted poultry, pork with fennel, veal scaloppine, mushroom risottos, aged Alpine cheeses, and dishes featuring saffron, rosemary, or sage. Serve at 12–14°C (54–57°F) to highlight both aromatics and texture. Decanting for 30–60 minutes is highly recommended, especially in its youth, to allow the wine to open fully and reveal its layered complexity.

Producer
Paolo Vodopivec is one of the most respected and singular voices in the world of skin-contact white wine, working in the rocky limestone landscapes of Friuli near the Carso plateau. Since taking over and developing his estate, he has focused almost exclusively on Vitovska, a native variety he has helped elevate from local curiosity to an internationally admired grape. By championing low-yield farming, meticulous hand work in the vineyard, and long, patient vinifications with native yeasts and extended maceration, Vodopivec has become a benchmark producer for serious orange wine. His bottlings—especially site-specific wines like Solo—are celebrated for their precision, depth, and authenticity, and play a key role in defining the contemporary identity and reputation of Friuli’s natural and artisanal wine scene.

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