Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a small region in northeast Italy bordering Austria and Slovenia.

The region is best known for its white wines like Friulano, Pinot Grigio, and Prosecco.

Climate

The climate in Friuli-Venezia Giulia is influenced by both the Alps and the Sea.

The Julian Alps in the north provide shelter from the cold winds, while both hot sommers and cold winters are tempered by the Adreatic Sea.

This even climate allows the grapes to develop balanced acidity and strong flavors.

Grapes

The region is renowned for producing high-quality white wines, and it's particularly famous for its crisp and aromatic wines made from grape varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Friulano, and Sauvignon Blanc.

Red wines are also produced, mostly from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pignolo (Friuli's answer to Nebbiolo).

Pinot Grigio

Thanks to the world popularity of Pinot Grigio, Friuli–Venezia Giulia produced a record volume of 25 million cases of wine in 2022, 85% of it white - the highest proportion of white wine of any Italian region.

Prosecco (Glera)

Prosecco is one of the world's most famous Sparkling wines. It is produced in 9 different provinces in Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The main grape used in Prosecco is Glera.

Friulano

Formerly known as Tocai Friulano until a naming dispute with Hungary, Friulano is a flagship white grape variety in the region. Wines made from Friulano are typically aromatic, with notes of almonds and white flowers.

Ribolla Gialla

Ribolla Gialla is known for its high acidity and floral, fruity aromas. Its wines can range from light and refreshing to more complex and structured, especially when aged.

Malvasia Istriana

Malvasia Istriana is predominantly found in Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

It produces fruity and floral aromatic wines with a good acidity.

It is often used in blends or as a varietal wine, contributing to the region's diverse white wine offerings.

Malvasia Istriana is a dry wite wine. Sweet Malvasia wines are produved in Toscana, Lazio, Sicilia, and Sardinia.

Schioppettino (Ribolla Nera)

Schioppettino transfers to "gunshot". It is a red grape variety that is indigenous to Friuli. Among red grape varieties, Schioppettino stands out. It produces wines with intense color, vibrant acidity, and a range of red fruit flavors. It has gained attention for its distinctiveness and potential for quality red wine production.

Pignolo

Pignolo is another red grape variety that is indigenous to Friuli. It is known for producing full-bodied and age-worthy red wines with intense dark fruit flavors, firm tannins, and a complex profile.

Refosco

Refosco is a red grape variety that can be found in various regions of Italy, but it has a significant presence in Friuli. It produces deeply colored wines with a good tannic structure and flavors of dark berries, spices, and hints of wild herbs.

Picolit

Picolit is primarily used for making sweet wines. Picolit wines are rich, aromatic, and often associated with dessert wines. The grape is known for its small berries and low yields, contributing to the concentration of flavors in the final wines.

DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita)

Friuli Venezia Giulia has 4 DOCGs:

• Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG (85% Picolit)
• Rosazzo DOCG (60% Friulano + Saivignon Blanc + Chardonnay)
• Ramandolo DOCG (100% Friulano)
• Lison DOCG (85% Friulano)

DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata)

Most of the vineyards of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia are located in the southern half of the region, including the large wine regions of Colli Orientali del Friuli, Collio Goriziano, Isonzo and Carso.

The Lison-Pramaggiore DOC in the west, is shared with Venezia.

The smaller regions Annia DOC, Aquileia DOC, Grave DOC and Latisana DOC are located in the central south. The wines from these regions are considered lighter and less elegant than the Friuli wines from the major regions.

Friuli Colli Orientali DOC

Colli Orientali del Friuli is situated in the Julian Alps by the Slovanian border.

The quality of the wines here comes from a chalky sandstone ground, lots of sun, and a colder climat at 400m altitude.

Friulano DOC, Ribolla Gialla DOC, and Sauvignon Black DOC are the best white wines.

Merlot DOC, Refosco DOC and Pignolo DOC are the best reds.

Collio Goriziano DOC

Collio Goriziano (Collio DOC) is situated in the Province of Gorizia, in the Gorizia Hills by the Slovenian border.

Friulano DOC, Pinot Grigio DOC, and Sauvignon DOC are the best white wines, followed by Ribolla Gialla DOC, Malvasia Bianca DOC, Chardonnay DOC, and Pinot Bianco DOC.

The best reds are Merlot DOC, Cabernet Sauvignon DOC, Cabernet Franc DOC and Pinot Nero DOC.

Friuli Izonso DOC

The Isonzo region is located on a plain along the Isonzo River.

Savignon DOC and Chardonnay DOC, and the most prominent white wines, and the best red is Merlot DOC.

Carso DOC

South of the Isonzo DOC is the Carso DOC by Trieste. This wine region has a maritime climate that is well suited to production of the local Terrano, used to make red wine. Wines made from this grape are known for their high acidity and good food pairing with Slavic cuisine. The white wines made from the Malvasia Istriana are highly regarded for their honey-almond notes. Other Carso wines can be made from Vitovska, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot grigio, Sauvignon blanc, Traminer and Piccola nera.