Friuli Venezia Giulia - Land of great wines

Thanks to the pedoclimatic characteristics of the region, which alternates between high plains and lands facing the Venetian lagoon, gentle hills and imposing reliefs, and to the commitment of small and large producers who have been able to combine an ancient tradition with the most modern technologies, Friuli Venezia Giulia has for decades occupied a leading role in Italian wine production. Among the region's main appellations we can mention Collio, Friuli Colli Orientali, Friuli Grave and Friuli Isonzo, each with its own distinct characteristics.

The Collio denomination is one of the most prestigious in northern Italy and includes the hilly territories in the province of Gorizia. The white wines, among the most famous and appreciated in Italy and the world, are produced with: Chardonnay, Malvasia istriana, Pinot Bianco, Picolit, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Friulano, and Ribolla Gialla; while the reds with: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. This is the region from which come the wines of such great wineries as Jermann, Gravner, Schiopetto, Villa Russiz, Livon, and Cormons.

The Carso includes all or part of the municipalities in the province of Trieste and some in the province of Gorizia. A local characteristic are the dry stone walls that delimit the plots of land, built over the years with stones taken from the soil to make them suitable for cultivation. The soil along the coast is loamy-clayey, with typical terraces known as 'pastini', strips of cultivated land supported by drystone walls and with slopes of up to 60%. The vines used for the production of the denomination's wines are seven white grapes, including Vitovska and Malvasia Istriana, and five red grapes, including Teran. Vinification tends to be carried out using the maceration technique (after pressing, the grapes are left in contact with the must, as is usually done with reds, but not with whites), in order to obtain greater structure and complexity. This process can last from a day to a week and also affects the colour of the wine, so much so that they are called 'orange wines' (the reference is Josko Gravner, in Collio, with his amphora macerations).

The Friuli Colli Orientali appellation also represents one of the Italian areas most suited for the production of quality white wines. Friuli Colli Orientali includes the territory of the municipalities of Attimis, Buttrio, the eastern part of Cividale, Corno di Rosazzo, Faedis, Manzano, Nimis, Povoletto, Premariacco, Prepotto, S. Giovanni al Natisone, S. Pietro al Natisone, Tarcento and Torreano in the province of Udine. It also includes the sub-zones of Cialla, Ribolla Gialla di Rosazzo, Pignolo di Rosazzo, Schioppettino di Prepotto and Refosco di Faedis. It is the land of Livio Felluga, Bastianich, Le vigne di Zamò.

Friuli Grave wines are produced in a large area of Friuli, in the provinces of Udine and Pordenone, basically characterised by soils of alluvial origin, draining and rich in pebbles and stones, which have proved to be very suitable for the cultivation of vines and in particular for red grape varieties. Vistorta, Fantinel and Pighin come from this area.

Friuli Isonzo is located in the eastern part of the region, south of Collio, in the alluvial plain along the river Isonzo, from which it takes its name. In addition to the exceptional climate, which alternates warm sea breezes with cool winds from the mountains, the chalk and clay-rich soils of the left bank and the white gravel of the right bank combine to create the optimal conditions for the production of quality wines. In particular, wines made from Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay have brought the Isonzo region into the limelight, thanks also to the work of wineries such as Vie di Romans.

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