Provinces: Trieste, Gorizia, Pordenone, Udine
Wine lovers refer to this region in Italy’s northeast
corner as simply Friuli, with utmost respect. For it
was there that the nation’s first dry whites of
modern class blossomed forth.
The Friulian style debuted
in the 1970s with Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco
and Sauvignon, but it also worked wonders for the native
Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana and the perennially
popular Tocai Friulano. Collio Goriziano, Colli Orientali
del Friuli and Carso, the D.O.C. zones in the hills along
the border of Slovenia, enjoy a propitious climate influenced
by air currents between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea.
The five zones on the plains—Annia, Aquileia, Grave,
Isonzo and Latisana—are preceded by the term Friuli
to enhance regional identity. Dessert wines—the
legendary Picolit and rejuvenated Verduzzo—also
show a grace that is unmistakably Friulian. But the wine
list is by no means confined to whites in a region that
makes a major share of Merlot and Cabernet, along with
distinctive reds from the native Refosco, Schioppettino,
Pignolo and Tazzelenghe.
Useful contacts:
Regione Friuli - E.R.S.A. - Via Posolle, 6 - 33100 Udine
- Tel.: 0039 0432 297068 Fax: 0039 0432 510 180
Movimento del Turismo del Vino - Vigneti Le Monde - Prata
di Pordenone (PN) - Tel.: 0039 0434 626 096 - http://www.wineday.org |
