Friuli-Venezia Giulia and its wines

The Friuli-Venezia Giulia is one of the most prestigious wine regions in Italy, renowned for its elegant, fresh, mineral white wines, among the best in Europe. Located in north-east of Italy, on the border with Austria and Slovenia, the region enjoys a unique terroir, marked by mineral-rich soils, wide temperature swings and the influence of the Alps and the Adriatic Sea.

Besides the famous whites based on Friulano, Ribolla Gialla and Sauvignon Blanc, Friuli produces reds of great finesse such as Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Schioppettino, as well as orange wines and macerated wines which have made the region a benchmark for natural winemaking.

What is the Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine district?

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is divided into 12 DOC and 4 DOCG, with subzones that express unique characteristics thanks to different soil compositions and microclimates.

The main DOC and DOCG appellations include:

• Collio DOC → Mineral, long-lived whites, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon, Friulano.
• Friuli Colli Orientali DOC → Complex white wines and spicy reds.
• Friuli Grave DOC → Broader production, fresh and fruity wines.
• Carso DOC → Vitovska and Terrano, authentic wines with a sense of place.
• Ramandolo DOCG e Picolit DOCG → Two great sweet wines from native grapes.

The Great Wine Areas of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

1. Collio

• Main grape varieties: Friulano, Sauvignon, Ribolla Gialla.
• Style: Structured, mineral, long-lived whites.
• Famous appellations: Collio DOC.

2. Colli Orientali del Friuli

• Main grape varieties: Friulano, Schioppettino, Refosco.
• Style: Elegant whites and spicy reds.
• Famous appellations: Friuli Colli Orientali DOC, Picolit DOCG.

3. Friuli Grave

• Main grape varieties: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot.
• Style: Fresh, fruity wines, ideal for drinking young.
• Famous appellations: Friuli Grave DOC.

4. Carso

• Main grape varieties: Vitovska, Malvasia Istriana, Terrano.
• Style: Saline, mineral wines, with a strong bond with the karst rock.
• Famous appellations: Carso DOC.

5. Isonzo and Aquileia

• Main grape varieties: Pinot Bianco, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.
• Style: Balanced, soft wines with great drinkability.
• Famous appellations: Friuli Isonzo DOC, Friuli Aquileia DOC.

Characteristics of the Wines of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Colour

• Whites: Straw yellow with greenish highlights, golden in skin-contact wines.
• Reds: Bright ruby red with purple shades in the young wines, garnet in the more aged ones.
• Orange Wine: Amber and golden colours, with varying intensity.

Aromas

• Fruity: Citrus, apple, peach in the whites; plum and blackberry in the reds.
• Floral: White flowers, hawthorn, orange blossom in the whites; violet in the reds.
• Spicy and Mineral: Notes of flint in the whites, black pepper in the reds.

Palate

• Fresh and Savoury: In the whites, with vibrant acidity and length.
• Elegant and Structured: In the reds, with soft tannins and great complexity.
• Rich and Charming: In the skin-contact wines and the orange wines.

Typical Grape Varieties of Friuli-Venezia Giulia

White Grape Varieties

• Friulano: The white that symbolises the region, savoury and fruity.
• Ribolla Gialla: Fresh and mineral, perfect for skin-contact wines.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Aromatic and citrussy, with vibrant acidity.
• Vitovska: A native variety of the Carso, saline and full of character.

Black Grape Varieties

• Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso: Structured, spicy and long-lived.
• Schioppettino: Elegant and spicy, with notes of black pepper.
• Terrano: Fresh and mineral, typical of the Carso.

Why Choose a Wine from Friuli-Venezia Giulia?

A wine from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a unique experience, thanks to the combination of tradition, innovation and a distinctive terroir. Perfect for pairing with fish, fresh cheeses, San Daniele ham and fusion cuisine, Friulian wines offer great versatility and quality.