The Province of Udine and its wines

The Province of Udine, in the heart of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia, is one of the most prestigious wine areas in Italy, renowned for its elegant, fresh, mineral white wines, as well as for indigenous and international reds of great finesse. Thanks to the combination of alluvial soils, marl and sandstone (ponca), wide temperature swings and the shelter of the Julian Alps, viticulture in this province has reached levels of excellence recognised all over the world.

The most famous varieties include Friulano, the Ribolla Gialla, the Sauvignon Blanc and the Pinot Grigio, as well as refined reds such as the Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino and Merlot.

What is the Province of Udine wine district?

The province of Udine takes in some of the most important appellations of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, with production concentrated in the eastern hills and along the plains of theIsonzo. Here you will find some of the best DOC and DOCG of the region:

• Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC → Structured whites and spicy reds.
• Collio DOC → Famous for Ribolla Gialla, Friulano and Sauvignon.
• Friuli Grave DOC → Broader production, fresh and fruity wines.
• Friuli Isonzo DOC → Mineral, savoury whites and elegant reds.
• Ramandolo DOCG and Picolit DOCG → Two great native sweet wines.

The Great Wine Regions of the Province of Udine

1. Colli Orientali del Friuli

• Main grape varieties: Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon, Schioppettino.
• Style: Intense, mineral whites, spicy, refined reds.
• Famous appellations: Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC, Picolit DOCG.

2. Collio

• Main grape varieties: Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla.
• Style: Whites of great longevity and complexity.
• Famous appellations: Collio DOC.

3. Friuli Grave

• Main grape varieties: Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Merlot, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.
• Style: Young, fruity, easy-drinking wines.
• Famous appellations: Friuli Grave DOC.

4. Friuli Isonzo

• Main grape varieties: Friulano, Malvasia Istriana, Cabernet Franc.
• Style: Savoury whites and balanced reds.
• Famous appellations: Friuli Isonzo DOC.

Characteristics of the Wines of the Province of Udine

Colour

• Whites: Straw yellow with golden highlights, bright and luminous.
• Reds: Deep ruby red in the young wines, garnet in the more aged ones.
• Desserts: Amber with golden highlights in Picolit and Ramandolo.

Aromas

• Fruity: Citrus, apple, peach in the whites; cherry and blackberry in the reds.
• Floral: White flowers and hawthorn in the whites; violet in the reds.
• Spicy and Mineral: Notes of flint in the Sauvignon Blanc wines, black pepper in the Schioppettino.

Palate

• Fresh and Mineral: In the whites, with balanced acidity and great drinkability.
• Structured and Elegant: In the reds, with well-defined, soft tannins.
• Sweet and Enveloping: In passito wines such as Picolit and Ramandolo.

Typical Grape Varieties of the Province of Udine

White Grape Varieties

• Friulano: The native grape variety that symbolises Friuli, savoury and complex.
• Ribolla Gialla: Fresh and mineral, perfect for skin-contact and sparkling wines.
• Sauvignon Blanc: Aromatic and citrussy, with vibrant acidity.
• Malvasia Istriana: Aromatic and long-lived, with notes of tropical fruit.
• Picolit: Rare and prized, used for sweet wines of great class.

Black Grape Varieties

• Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso: Structured and spicy, with a great capacity for ageing.
• Schioppettino: Elegant and spicy, with notes of black pepper.
• Tazzelenghe: Rare and tannic, with marked acidity.
• Merlot: Soft and round, among the most widespread reds in the region.

Why Choose a Wine from the Province of Udine?

A wine from the Province of Udine is a perfect synthesis of tradition and innovation, with wines that express the greatness of the Friulian terroir. Perfect for accompanying fish dishes, fresh cheeses, San Daniele ham and spicy dishes, the wines of this area are one of the highlights of the Italian wine scene.