When Burgundy meets Friuli, the result can only be something of great depth. Just like in this case. Imagine wanting to grow Pinot Noir, a grape variety universally known for being difficult to manage, in an area where everyone had given up on it. This is the pioneering and successful story of the Gallo family of Masùt da Rive, who since the 1980s have transformed an intuition into one of the most interesting labels in Friuli. We are in Mariano del Friuli, in the heart of the Isonzo DOC. Here, the Masùt da Rive vineyards lie on a particular soil: a mixture of red clay and gravel (the famous pebbles) that guarantees excellent drainage and reflects heat, helping the red grape variety to ripen precisely. This area, rich in minerals and with a cool but sunny microclimate, has proved to be the ideal environment for growing the noble Burgundy grape. The vines here have an average age of around 28 years, which gives the final product greater concentration and character. A pure Pinot Noir, grown from selected French clones, it all starts with manual harvesting and careful selection of the bunches. In the cellar, the grapes undergo cold pre-fermentation maceration. This technique serves to gently extract the colour and primary aromas without weighing down the tannins. After alcoholic fermentation, the wine undergoes malolactic fermentation and begins its 12-month ageing process in 300-litre French oak barrels. Quite intense, clear and inviting ruby red in colour, the nose is refined and dominated by a clear and juicy fruity texture: ripe cherry, blackberry and raspberry blend beautifully. There are also delicate notes of medicinal herbs that anticipate an elegant finish, where light woody tones emerge. On the palate, it is pleasantly fresh, with noticeable but light and well-integrated tannins. The finish is pleasantly bitter, clean and invigorating, immediately inviting you to pour a second glass. It is ideal for enhancing medium-bodied dishes. Perfect with white meats and roast pork, it should be tried with lamb or with cheeses that are neither too fresh nor too mature.