Friulian wines are distinguished by their high quality and value: Friuli Venezia Giulia is located in the north-eastern part of Italy, on the border with Slovenia and Austria. The territory is highly suitable for wine production thanks to the influence of the Adriatic Sea.
The region is surrounded by high mountains and a microclimate that allows for significant temperature variations between day and night, giving the wines of Friuli great elegance and enrichment of the aromatic range. The soil is also very suitable and particular, varying according to the area: the hilly part, stretching along the Italian-Slovenian border, is characterised by the presence of the famous 'Ponca Friulana', soil composed of friable marly rocks and detritus from the sea, rich in silt, clay and sand. The combination of soil and microclimate create very favourable conditions for the production of vines, favouring the ripening of the grapes, especially white grapes, which produce elegant and fragrant Friulian wines with good structure and minerality, considered among the best Italian white wines.
In Friuli-Venezia Giulia there are currently four DOCGs, ten DOCs and three IGTs: Lison DOCG, with wines produced from the Tocai Friulano vine, is interregional with Veneto; in the Colli Orientali del Friuli area, which is further north-west in the province of Udine, one of Italy's most renowned dessert wines is produced, Picolit, the star of the second regional DOCG, Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG. Another sweet wine is produced from Verduzzo Friulano grapes, both raisin and late harvest, under the name Ramandolo DOCG. The part of the Colli Orientali del Friuli produces more white wines, mainly from the Tocai Friulano, Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay grapes, all included in the third Friulian DOCG, the Rosazzo DOCG.
The Friuli Colli Orientali DOC denomination, with its five sub-zones, contains all the white and red wines of this important wine area. Collio is located in the eastern part of the region, in the province of Gorizia, and is particularly famous for the production of white wines. Tocai Friulano and Ribolla Gialla are the most important vines cultivated in this area, together with international vines such as Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc. In Collio are also produced red wines, in particular with Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. All these wines are included in the denomination Collio or Collio Goriziano DOC.
The Grave area, or Friuli Grave DOC, is the largest denomination in the region (it covers about two-thirds of it) and extends from the province of Udine westwards to that of Pordenone. Its name derives from the soil, rich in stones and gravel, which is suitable for the production of high quality wines, even if less complex than those of Collio or Colli Orientali del Friuli. In the Grave area, white wines are produced from Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc and Tocai Friulano grapes, while the production of red wines is essentially based on the international Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc grapes and the indigenous Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso grape.
Also important is the Friuli Isonzo DOC denomination, where wines reminiscent of those of Collio are produced. The wines, mainly white, are made from Tocai Friulano, Chardonnay and Sauvignon grapes. The red wines are produced from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grapes. In the area to the south of the region, which is predominantly flat, are the Annia and Latisana DOCs, where mainly white wines are produced, greatly influenced by the maritime climate.
