Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Regional detail

Location

In the far northeast of Italy, once a coldwar border and hence little in terms of through traffic, Fruli 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 theAnglo-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

Average annual production

1.110.000 HL
Friuli-Venezia Giulia Placeholder
Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Grapes

Chardonnay

Description

See international

Principle Wines

See international
Friulano

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
Malvasia Istriana

Description

*Malvasia is a catch all name fro a group of varieties whose scions perhaps originiated 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
Pignolo

Description

Less widespread but interesting for its potential sugar content. Typical wildberry flavours as with other indigenous red varieties of this area and soft tannins

Principle Wines

Pignolo
Pinot Bianco

Description

See international

Principle Wines

See international
Pinot Grigio

Description

See international

Principle Wines

See international
Refosco

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
Sauvignon

Description

See international

Principle Wines

See international
Schioppettino

Description

A recent revival aka Ribolla Nera. Wild berry fruit character, raspberries and blueberries, low in alcohol and peeky acidity

Principle Wines

Schioppettino
Tazzelenghe

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
Traminer Aromatico

Description

See Gewurztraminer

Principle Wines

See Gewurztraminer

Major Appellations DOCG/DOC

Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC (a multi DOC*)

Description

Bianco – blends of the above grapes Rosso – blends of the above grapres 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
Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG

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
Collio Goriziano or Collio DOC (a multi DOC*)

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 grapres 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.
Friuli Aquileia DOC (a multi DOC*)

Description

An ancient Roman centre of some importantce, 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 grapres 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
Friuli Grave DOC (a multi DOC*)

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 grapres 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
Friuli Isonzo DOC (a multi DOC*)

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 grapres 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
Lison-Pramaggiore DOC (a multi DOC*)

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 grapres 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

Other Appellations DOCG/DOC

Carso DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Chardonnay, Malvasia, Merlot, Pinot Grigio, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Sauvignon, Terrano, Traminer, Vitovska
Friuli Annia DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Sauvignon, Friulano, Verduzzo Friulano
Friuli Latisana DOC (a multi DOC*)

Principle Wines

Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Franconia, Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Refosco, Riesling, Sauvignon, Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo Friulano
Ramandolo DOCG

Principle Wines

Verduzzo Friulano

IGT Appellations

Alto Livenza
Delle Venezie
Venezia Giulia