Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Friuli-Venezia-Giulia) – wine region in the North-Eastern part of Italy. It borders with Austria to the North and Slovenia in the East. On the South by the Gulf of Trieste, and the Western border is adjacent to the Veneto region. The most important mountain range of the region are the Julian Alps, which gave Julia the prefix in its name. Specialize in white wines.
The wine of this region clearly stands out from other Italian wines: there are mainly international varieties such as Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling and Pinot Blanc. Of the Italian most notable bestselling Pinot Grigio and little-known regional autochthonous Picolit.
The wines themselves differ depending on whether they are produced in a Mediterranean climate southern part of the region or the Alpine continental climate in the North. But in General, characterized by their fresh-fruity character which is quite typical of modern wines from cool areas.
Varieties and terroirs
The iconic grade Friuli – Friulano. Is a textbook sample fresh regional style. The variety was formerly known as Tokai Friulano, but a misleading reference to the prestigious Hungarian region of Tokaj has led to the fact that the international wine law ordered him to get rid of this part of the name. Now it is sometimes called simply Tai. In 1990 the variety was unexpected and interesting development in the production of so-called “orange wines.”
“Orange wine” from the grape variety Friulano
The other grape – verduzzo – also gives live fresh wine and is widely distributed in the region.
From the point of view of terroirs, a key parameter in the wines of the Friuli-Venice-Julia is the location of the vineyard towards the Alps and the Adriatic.
The mountainous topography in the North and East raises the vineyards above the low clouds that often get stuck between the hills and the coast. This gives the grapes the opportunity to take a generous sunbathing without the risk of overheating and to achieve full phenolic ripeness to set the peak level of sugars.
Below, closer to the shoreline, the influence of the sea smooths out the daily fluctuations in temperature and creates a more even weather conditions. Due to this, the local winemakers have the privilege of choosing the terroir on the basis of other relevant indicators.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is building its reputation as a wine region relatively small groups concerned with quality manufacturers. Mass production is not a priority. Trump Friuli – geography and varietal set, which along with a mosaic of autochthonous clearly distinguished internationally recognised names like Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. You can find even such heavyweights Bordeaux, like Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet franc and Merlot.
The wine are mostly produced under the appellation Prosecco, but began to appear independent regional samples.
The appellations and zones of production
The region’s four zones DOCG, all white:
- Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit
(Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit) - Ramandolo (Ramandolo)
- Lison (Lison)
- Rosazzo (Rosazzo)
The first two are devoted to sweet wines from varieties Picolit and verduzzo. Lison established in 2010 to support high-quality dry wine from verduzzo. Rosazzo is the latest area of this category, established in 2011 and produces wine from a blend based on Friulano, capable of medium-term exposure.
Top DOCG complement more than a dozen DOCов.
Friuli-grave (Friuli grave) is the most important from the point of view of production volumes. This DOC covers a substantial part of the Friuli-Venice-Giulia, Colli Orientali stretching from the border with Veneto. “Grave” in the title reflects the gravelly nature of the soils resulting from centuries of erosion of the Alps the river Tagliamento.
To the South is the coastal zone Lison Pramaggiore (Lison Pramaggiore), Friuli Latisana (Friuli Latisana), Annia Friuli (Friuli Annija) and Friuli Aquileia (Friuli Aquileia).
To the East along the coast lie the territory of the Friuli Isonzo (Friuli Isonzo) Goriziano and Colli (Colli Goriziano), covering the hills with the southern edge of the Colli Orientale.
Carso (Carso) is the easternmost appellation in Italy around the Gulf of Trieste stretching himself thin layer between the Adriatic coast and the border with Slovenia.