Introduction

The La Viarte Oparis Schioppettino 2022 is an impressive expression of a n ative grape variety from Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, northeastern Italy. With its distinct profile of spice, red and dark fruit, and excellent freshness, it offers something special outside of the more typical Italian red wine crowd. For UK wine lovers seeking wines with character, terroir, and elegance, this bottle is worth exploring.

In this review I’ll cover where this wine comes from, the grape, terroir and soils, winemaking & ageing, taste, texture, what food pairs with it, ageing potential, strengths and weaknesses, and finally a star rating. By the end, you’ll know exactly why to consider it, whether to drink now or cellar, and how to get the best from it.

Region & Terroir: Friuli Colli Orientali

La Viarte’s vineyards are situated in the Colli Orientali del Friuli, in particular around the commune of Prepotto, at altitudes of 150-200 metres above sea level, exposed to East and South-East. The soil is locally known as “Ponca”, composed of marl and sandstone layers. These soils are well-draining yet retain enough moisture and minerality to give expressive flavour and structural balance.

The climate here benefits from warm days moderated by cooling influences in the evenings, allowing grapes to ripen well while preserving acidity. The microclimate, including hill exposure and elevation, contributes to complexity. Because it is somewhat cooler at night and vines are grown on slope, grapes can develop aromas and freshness rather than just power.

Schioppettino, the grape used in this wine, thrives in this terroir. Its native roots in Friuli are long: the variety has been revived in recent decades and is now considered one of the region’s signature indigenous reds. These factors of soil, exposure, climate and vineyard care all combine to allow La Viarte Oparis Schioppettino to express purity, spice, dark fruit and elegance.

The Grape: Schioppettino

Schioppettino is an indigenous red grape variety from Friuli that is noted for its complexity, aromatic character, and distinct personality. Key traits of Schioppettino include:

• Colour: Typically ruby red, sometimes with garnet tones with some bottle age.
• Aromatics: Usually a combination of red and darker berries (cherry, raspberry, blackberry), along with spicy notes (pepper, especially pink or black pepper), sometimes herbal or undergrowth tones. Occasionally violet floral hints or pomegranate.
• Acidity & Tannins: Good natural acidity, which gives freshness, and fine to moderate tannins that give texture without overwhelming.
• Body & Alcohol: Medium to medium-full body. Alcohol tends to be moderate (in this wine about 13-13.5%) which helps maintain balance.

Schioppettino is sometimes described as having a peppery bite, a freshness that unusual indigenous reds often lack, and enough structure to pair with food or benefit from bottle ageing. It is sometimes called “Ribolla Nera” in local dialects.

Winemaking & Ageing Process

La Viarte’s approach for Oparis Schioppettino 2022 respects tradition while ensuring good quality:

• Grapes are hand-harvested with careful selection of bunches.
• After manual selection, the grapes undergo gentle pressing and then maceration on the skins for about 7 days. This period allows extraction of colour, tannin and flavour without overly harsh phenolic material. 
• Fermentation is done between 25°C and 28°C, with frequent pump-overs (rimontaggi) to ensure even extraction and aeration. 
• After fermentation, the wine is aged for 6 months in stainless steel tanks at controlled temperature. Then it undergoes at least 6 months of bottle ageing before being released. 

This style emphasises keeping fruit freshness, varietal character and balance rather than overloading with oak or excessive extraction. The maceration period is enough to give medium structure; the stainless steel ageing preserves bright fruit; bottle ageing softens any harsh edges.

Alcohol content is approximately 13-13.5% ABV, giving enough warmth to support flavours but not so much as to overpower.

Appearance, Aroma & Palate

Appearance

In the glass, this wine shows a ruby red colour with elegant reflections. It has clarity and a medium density that indicates good extract but not over concentration. As it opens, you may see slight garnet or darker red tones showing through, especially around the rim with a little age.

Aroma / Nose

The nose is expressive, combining:

• Red berries: cherry, raspberry
• Slight darker fruit: possible hints of blackberry or wild berry depending on ripeness
• Spicy notes: especially pink pepper or other peppery spice
• Herbal or subtle undergrowth/herbal tones
• Freshness in the fruit: red fruit aromas seem lively, not jammy

These combine to give a wine that smells balanced: not all fruit, not all spice, with freshness and scent of place.

Palate & Texture

On tasting:

• Entry: Soft red fruit (cherry, raspberry) dominates, with perhaps a touch of darker fruit in the mid-palate. The palate is smooth, not aggressive.
• Mid-palate: Acidity is noticeable enough to lift the flavours. Tannins are present but fine, providing grip and structure without becoming harsh. The texture is medium body.
• Flavour development: Alongside fruit, one may sense spice (pepper), perhaps a little earthiness or minerality from the Ponca soils. Slight floral or pomegranate notes may appear.
• Finish: Pleasantly long. Red berry fruit lingers, spice in the aftertaste, good freshness. There’s length with moderate tannin grip, leaving the palate cleanened and ready for food or another sip.

Overall, the wine combines fruit, freshness, texture and spice in a harmonious way: expressive but not overblown.

Ageing Potential

While this wine is built to be enjoyed relatively young, it also has enough structure to benefit from short-term ageing.

• Best drinking window: Now through about 3-5 years from vintage. During that time, fruit will soften, flavours integrate, tannins round out.
• Evolution: Over time you might notice deeper secondary aromas developing: earthy undertones, perhaps more herbal or forest floor notes, possibly spice becoming more subtle.
• Storage advice: Keep in a cool, stable temperature (around 12-14°C), moderate humidity, out of light. If opening before food, decanting for 20-30 minutes will help open aromas and soften tannins.

Food Pairings & Serving Suggestions

This Schioppettino is versatile with food thanks to its acidity, fruit, and medium structure. Here are suggestions for pairing and serving that bring out its best for UK diners.

Pairings

• Charcuterie & cured meats: flavours of salami, prosciutto, and other lightly cured meats complement its spicy red fruit and peppery notes.
• Pasta & tomato-based sauces: pasta al ragù, tomato & herb sauces, or pasta with mushrooms suit nicely.
• White meats & poultry: roasted chicken, turkey, or duck (especially with some spices or herbs) are good matches.
• Grilled meats: lamb chops, lean pork, steak – especially where a hint of spice or pepper rub helps echo the wine’s own spice.
• Cheese: semi-aged cheeses like Pecorino, aged goat, or Tomme style. The fresh acidity helps cut through fat; the spice and fruit balance well with rich cheeses.
• Game & earthy dishes: Consider wild game, mushrooms, risottos with woodland character, or dishes with herbs.

Serving

• Temperature: Serve this wine at about 16°C — slightly below room temperature helps maintain freshness and aromatics.
• Glassware: Large red wine glass helps to allow aromas to open.
• Decanting: Not strictly essential if the wine is rested, but a decant for 20-30 minutes can open up spice and soften tannins.

Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

1. Distinct varietal character – Schioppettino is unusual, with pepper, red fruit, freshness; gives this wine personality.
2. Freshness & balance – Food-friendly acidity and moderate body mean it doesn’t feel heavy.
3. Terroir expression – Soil, elevation, vineyard aspect all show through: the Ponca soils lend minerality; East/South-East exposure helps ripening without losing freshness.
4. Good value – For the quality of grape, winemaking, taste profile, this wine offers strong interest in the UK market (around £19.95). 

Weaknesses / Considerations

1. Moderate to firm tannins – Can feel a little tight in youth; decanting or bottle age helps.
2. Not a super heavy wine – Those looking for very rich, blockbuster reds (oak + high alcohol) may find it lacking in weight.
3. Vintage variation – Dependent on how warm the growing season was and vineyard care; slight variation in structure or fruit intensity might show between bottles/vintages.
4. Limited oak influence – If you like heavy oak or long barrel ageing, this wine is more fruit/spice/terroir focused, so less oak power.

Overall Verdict & Star Rating

La Viarte Oparis Schioppettino 2022 is an excellent choice for wine lovers who desire something distinctive, expressive, and food-friendly. It delivers a satisfying balance of fruit, spice, texture, and freshness – rooted in a lesser-known but outstanding Italian DOC. It’s not overly ambitious in terms of oak or ultra-power, but that is part of its appeal: elegance, drinkability, with personality.

Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4.2 / 5)

• Flavour & Aroma: 4.3/5 – Vivid red fruit, pepper spice, herbal overtones, good complexity.
• Texture & Body: 4.1/5 – Medium-bodied, balanced tannin grip, smooth entry.
• Versatility: 4.2/5 – Strong with a variety of foods, from pasta to grilled meat and cheese.
• Overall Satisfaction: 4.2/5 – A wine that provides pleasure and interest; both approachable now and worth keeping for a few years.