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Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine region
Photo: Tomasz Anusiewicz on Unsplash
Some of Italy's finest whites, plus orange wines.
Vines grow in all 20 regions. Wines are classed DOCG, DOC and IGT.
Notable producers in Friuli-Venezia Giulia
- Jermann
- Livio Felluga
- Gravner
- Vie di Romans
- Schiopetto
Official appellations
| Appellation | Status | Style | Grapes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit (2006) Sweet white from the eastern hills of Friuli near Cividale, Nimis and Tarcento, on the layered marl and sandstone known as ponca. At least 85% Picolit, a grape whose flowers set poorly so bunches carry few berries; grapes are dried on or off the vine to make a delicate, honeyed passito. Good to know: the Cialla sub-zone near Prepotto is the most prized; Picolit was a famous luxury wine at European courts in the 18th century. | DOCG | Sweet | Picolit |
| Ramandolo (2001) Sweet white from the steep, cool hills above Nimis and Tarcento in the far north of the Colli Orientali, on ponca marl and sandstone with high rainfall. Made from 100% Verduzzo Friulano, its golden variant, with grapes late-picked or dried to give a sweet wine with a distinctive tannic grip. Good to know: it was Friuli's first DOCG (2001), promoted from a sub-zone of the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC. | DOCG | Sweet | Verduzzo Friulano |
| Rosazzo (2011) White blends from the hills around Manzano, San Giovanni al Natisone and part of Corno di Rosazzo, in the southern Colli Orientali, on ponca marl and sandstone. At least 50% Friulano with 20–30% Sauvignon Blanc, 20–30% Pinot Bianco or Chardonnay and up to 10% Ribolla Gialla. Good to know: the name comes from the Abbey of Rosazzo, whose monks tended vines here for centuries; it became a DOCG in 2011. | DOCG | White | Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla |
| Carso Karst plateau above Trieste: Vitovska, Malvasia and Terrano. | DOC | White, Red | Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Terrano |
| Collio (1968) Collio Goriziano: world-class whites from marl and sandstone (ponca) on the Slovenian border. | DOC | White | Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio |
| Friuli Region-wide Friuli DOC since 2016. | DOC | White, Red | Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Refosco |
| Friuli Annia Coastal plains DOC near the Laguna di Marano. | DOC | White, Red | Friulano, Merlot |
| Friuli Aquileia Plains around the Roman town of Aquileia. | DOC | White, Red | Refosco, Friulano, Merlot |
| Friuli Colli Orientali Eastern hills of Friuli: top whites and native reds such as Schioppettino and Pignolo. | DOC | White, Red | Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco, Schioppettino, Pignolo |
| Friuli Grave Friuli's largest DOC on gravel plains. | DOC | White, Red | Pinot Grigio, Merlot, Friulano |
| Friuli Isonzo Gravel plain along the Isonzo river. | DOC | White, Red | Friulano, Pinot Grigio, Merlot |
| Friuli Latisana Plains DOC along the Tagliamento. | DOC | White, Red | Merlot, Friulano |
Friuli-Venezia Giulia wines to try
Jermann Vintage Tunina
Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Venezia Giulia · Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia
Rich field-blend white: honey, ripe pear, flowers and herbs, long and textured.
Food: Seafood risotto, white meats, mild cheese
Schiopetto Friulano
Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Collio · Friulano
Creamy texture, almond, pear and wild herbs with a bitter-almond finish.
Food: Prosciutto di San Daniele, asparagus, frittata
Specogna Pinot Grigio Ramato
Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Friuli Colli Orientali · Pinot Grigio
Skin-contact copper-coloured Pinot Grigio: pear, spice and texture.
Food: Charcuterie, risotto
Livio Felluga Pinot Grigio
Friuli-Venezia Giulia · Friuli Colli Orientali · Pinot Grigio
Structured Friuli Pinot Grigio: pear, almond and fresh finish.
Food: Fish, antipasti
More wine regions in Italy
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