Friuli-Venezia

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is located at the easternmost tip of Italy, sheltered by the Carnic and Julian Alps with Austria to the north, Slovenia to the east, and the Adriatic Sea to the south. It enjoys a moderate continental climate while also being the rainiest region in Italy. Its varied soils include clay, limestone, sand, and river alluvium (in the region of the Po River). Friuli has over 28,000 hectares (the eighth region in terms of production with 1.6 million hectoliters) and its reputation rests on its great white wines, which account for 85% of the region’s wine production. The most well-known appellations are Collio DOC, Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, and Venezia Giulia IGT. The most popular white grape varieties are Pinot Grigio, Tocai Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc, and Malvasia. Friuli was the first region in Italy to use temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks for the fermentation of white wines. In the 1990s, winemakers produced orange wines (also called maceration wines) from white grapes that underwent prolonged maceration with the skins, allowing the must to extract an orange color and tannins. This winemaking method was highly successful and spread worldwide. The main red grape varieties are Merlot, Refosco (Peduncolo Rosso, Nostrano, and Terrano), and Schioppettino. It wasn’t until the late 1970s that the latter acquired a “legal” status allowing it to be vinified. Although not widely planted, it is gaining popularity as it produces wines with aromas of black pepper, black cherry, and balsamic. Despite a less pronounced color, these wines offer depth and complexity. Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a unique and diverse wine region, with numerous indigenous grape varieties that allow winemakers to compose a symphony of fresh, vibrant, and luminous wines.