FRIULI

Location

In the far northeast of Italy, once a cold-war border and hence little in terms of through traffic, Friuli is another spectacular Italian region dominated by the Alps, with a long plain that reaches the basin of the Adriatic Sea. Viticulture dominated by international varieties, both red and white. However, there are many native varieties too. In countries other than the Anglo-Saxon, the region is synonymous with top class "Super-Whites" and unique blends and styles. The area stretches from Venice to the Slovenian border, latter being recognised as the Mecca for quality white (although the UK market is yet to be convinced)

Climate

Mediterranean, with good supplies of water from snowmelt from the Alps.

Topography

The volume Friulian wines come from the broad plain between the Alps and the Adriatic – Friuli Grave and as the name suggests is littered with scree, rocky debris and gravel washed down from the Alps. The more prestigious wines come from the foothills of the Alps and the hilly area to the east on the Slovenian border – the Collio

Soils

Very mixed but visibly strewn with calcareous deposits in the form of gravel, pebbles and rocks washed down every year for millennia by snowmelt from the Alps

Production

1.110.000 HL

Our producers

Featured

Lis Neris

Valle

Puiatti

Description
See international
Principle Wines
See international
Description
Previously called Tocai Friulano (having no relationship with Hungarian or Alsation Tokay). There is some relationship with Sauvignonasse especially of the Chilean variety (ironically called Sauvignon for many years). Pleasant aromas of wild flowers and nettles. A nutty palate with firm acidity makes it a wine of quality. Grown also in the Veneto where it is known as Tai . It can also be found (more rare) south of the Veneto too.
Principle Wines
Friuli Grave, Collio
Description
*Malvasia is a catch all name for a group of varieties whose scions perhaps originated in the same Greek locality (the Peloponnesian port of Monemvasia). In truth, the Venetians in the middle ages transported various wines, sweet, dry, aromatic and non under the general name Malvasia – perhaps the reason for the disparity Istriana is one of the plethora of Malvasias, considered to be of a superior quality sub-variety, if the least productive.
Principle Wines
Malvasia Collio
Description
Less widespread but interesting for its potential sugar content. Typical wild berry flavours as with other indigenous red varieties of this area and soft tannins
Principle Wines
Pignolo
Description
See international
Principle Wines
See international
Description
See international
Principle Wines
See international
Description
An Ancient Friuli grape with references as far back as the 14th Century (Francesco di Manzano). There are numerous sub-varieties – the current preferred being Refosco dal penducolo Rosso. Wild berry perfume and pointed acidity it is usually drunk young, being fresh and vibrant. Other sub-varieties include: Refosco Nostrano, Refosco d'Istria,, Refosco delTerrano.
Principle Wines
Refosco
Description
See international
Principle Wines
See international
Description
A recent revival aka Ribolla Nera. Wild berry fruit character, raspberries and blueberries, low in alcohol and peeky acidity
Principle Wines
Schioppettino
Description
Aka Tacelenghe, so called because the acidity and tannin that it seemingly would cut (tagliare) the tongue (lingua). This is the traditional version. Modern versions are unlike to make a huge impact on international markets.
Principle Wines
Tazzelenghe
Description
See Gewurztraminer
Principle Wines
See Gewurztraminer

Major Appellations DOCG/DOC

Description
Bianco – blends of the above grapes Rosso – blends of the above grapes Varietals - Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Merlot, Pignolo, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Refosco Nostrano, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon, Schioppettino, Tazzelenghe, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano Cialla – is a Sub Denomination making similar blends and varietal wines Rosazzo - is a Sub Denomination making similar blends and varietal wines
Principle Wines
Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Merlot, Pignolo, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Refosco Nostrano, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon, Schioppettino, Tazzelenghe, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Description
One of Italy's most historic sweet wines from the east of Friuli. Very small yield because of difficulty in the growing season concentrate flavours and make the wine quite rare. If 100% it is called Cialla and aged 24 months otherwise at least 85% Picolit grape and aged 12 months.
Principle Wines
Picolit
Description
This narrow strip of land on the Slovenian border has been the birthplace of modern fine winemaking in Italy for the past 20 years … superwhites. Using indigenous grapes and internationals the producers have stunned and sometimes confounded the world with their elevage techniques, their blends and at times their prices. Bianco – blends of the above grapes Rosso – blends of the above grapes Varietals - Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Muller Thurgau, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon, Schioppettino, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico.
Principle Wines
Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Muller Thurgau, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon, Schioppettino, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico.
Description
An ancient Roman centre of some importance, this DOC stretches to the south of Udine until the Adriatic, to the west of Trieste. Bianco – blends of the above grapes Rosso – blends of the above grapes Varietals - Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Schioppettino, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Principle Wines
Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Schioppettino, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Description
As the name suggests, on similar terms with Bordeaux, this an area whose soils are extremely pebbley (gravel) awash with glacial debris and other Alpine material transported by the many rivers and streams including the River Isonzo. This is the plain between the Alps ands the sea where Friuli’s more commercial wines are produced (although much inferior volimes since the devasting earthquake of the 1970s). A vast DOC from the border of the Veneto stretching over to the East of Udine. Bianco – blends of the above grapes Rosso – blends of the above grapes Varietals - Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Principle Wines
Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Description
Named after the Isonzo River to the east of Udine and to the west of Gorizia, stretching down to the Adriatic. Bianco – blends of the above grapes Rosso – blends of the above grapes Varietals - Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Principle Wines
Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Description
A recently created DOC area which is mostly in the Veneto but shares a lot in common with the grapes and wines of Friuli Bianco – blends of the above grapes Rosso – blends of the above grapes Varietals - Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Tai, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Principle Wines
Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Tai, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano