DOCStill huntingHard

Lison-Pramaggiore (Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia) DOC

The eastern Veneto's Bordeaux-variety DOC, on calcareous clay near the Friuli border with more organic vineyards than anywhere else in the region. The Merlot and Cabernet reds are medium bodied, herbal and fresh with plum, cassis and a green edge; Refosco is dark, tart and peppery; Malbech, a survivor from 19th century plantings, is a local curiosity. Whites are clean Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon and Chardonnay, with the old Tai (Friulano) bottlings now promoted to the Lison DOCG. Bosco del Merlo, Le Carline and Borgo Stajnbech are the estates that matter.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Lison-Pramaggiore (Veneto / Friuli-Venezia Giulia), import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

Can you help me get one?

Bottles I'm chasing

Producer	Wine	Price	Buy
Bosco del Merlo	Lison-Pramaggiore Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso The Paladin family's Refosco, dark, tart, peppery with blackberry and a dry finish; good with game.	$16 to $22	Wine-Searcher
Le Carline	Lison-Pramaggiore Merlot (organic) Organic pioneer at Pramaggiore; soft, herbal Merlot with plum and tobacco.	$14 to $18	Wine-Searcher
Borgo Stajnbech	Lison-Pramaggiore Malbech The rare local Malbec, dark and spicy with violet and firm tannin; a curiosity worth a special order.	$18 to $24	Wine-Searcher

At a glance

Region: Multi-region
Established: 1985 (DOC, merging Tocai di Lison 1971 and Cabernet/Merlot di Pramaggiore 1971)
Zone: Venezia and Treviso provinces (Veneto) and Pordenone province (Friuli), plain around Portogruaro, Pramaggiore and Annone Veneto
Styles: White (bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Verduzzo, Riesling, Manzoni Bianco; spumante); Red (rosso, riserva, Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Carmenere, Refosco, Malbech); Rosato
Key grapes: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Malbech (red); Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Verduzzo (white)
US availability: Hard. Bosco del Merlo and Borgo Stajnbech reach a few US importers and Wine-Searcher listings; Le Carline (organic) appears at natural wine shops; most of the DOC stays in Italy.