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 FRIULI GRAVE
The Grave DOC zone is split across two geographical areas, the provinces
of Pordenone and Udine.
The wine country of the Grave DOC zone in the province of Pordenone
extends across the western part of Friuli Venezia Giulia, from the
foothills of the mountains to the sea. The zone is bounded by the
river Tagliamento and the border with the Veneto region.
The wine country of the Grave DOC zone in the province of Udine
extends across a vast area of central Friuli in the plain formed
by the river Tagliamento between the provinces of Udine and Pordenone.
The Grave territory is characterised by the stones left by rivers.
These absorb sunshine during daylight hours and release it as heat
during the night, ensuring that the vines enjoy a mild temperature
at all times. The accumulated heat that is released at night yields
grapes with a higher sugar content and more intense aromas and fragrances,
making the wines unique. The white wines are fresh, fruit-rich and
elegant. Reds are balanced, full-bodied and fragrant when young,
and full-flavoured with good structure when aged.
LOWER FRIULI AND THE LAGOON AREA:
 FRIULI
ANNIA
The Friuli Annia DOC zone covers more than 180 hectares. It is crossed
by the ancient Via Annia and its most important feature is the lagoon
of Marano, to the south, from which arrives the beneficial influence
of the well-ventilated lagoon climate. As a result, the zone’s
wines are zesty and vibrant. Although the Friuli Annia DOC zone
was created only recently, the area was acknowledged as excellent
wine country in Roman times, as is testified by the archaeological
remains found in ancient villas and houses, where there are considerable
numbers of wine amphorae.
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 FRIULI
AQUILEIA
The Friuli Aquileia DOC zone embraces 900 hectares of vineyards.
The climate is temperate, thanks to the influence of the nearby
sea, and produces excellent wines with exceptional aromas. Since
ancient times, the land and vines of the Friuli Aquileia zone have
encouraged the winemaking skills of the residents, as the archaeological
evidence of the wine amphorae at Roman Aquileia eloquently testifies.
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 FRIULI
LATISANA
The Friuli Latisana DOC zone stretches across the southern part
of the province of Udine. The sand and clay soil is difficult to
work but rich in minerals that give its wines their distinctive
aromatic profiles. The 400 hectares under vine are planted one third
to white varieties and two thirds to reds. The nearby sea sends
warm breezes that enable growers to produce elegantly fragrant wines.
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 COLLI
ORIENTALI DEL FRIULI
From the slopes of Monte Bernadia in the north, to the Judrio river
that marks the border between the provinces of Udine and Gorizia,
art, culture, history and wine come together to make the Colli Orientali
del Friuli DOC zone, which has its wine capital at Cividale. The
countryside is an eye-pleasing succession of woodlands and vineyards.
The 2,300 hectares planted to vine stand on alternate layers of
marl and sandstone, their rows kept as neatly as suburban gardens,
and have been dubbed the “Park of the Vine and Wine”.
There are more than one hundred wineries bottling an average of
80,000 hectolitres of DOC wine every year. The Colli Orientali del
Friuli DOC zone has an infinite range of site climates. These are
cooler and damper in the north, where the vines nestle in the shelter
of the Julian Pre-Alps, safe from the cool north winds, whereas
in the south, the climate is milder and drier. As in classical times,
twenty centuries ago, the vines grow among olive trees.
Ramandolo
In the hill country overlooking Nimis, which continues unbroken
into the Julian Pre-Alps, there lies what may be the most ancient
and best-known wine subzone in Friuli, the Ramandolo vineyard. Steep
slopes mean that mechanised viticulture is out of the question but
the wines that emerge are a supreme balance of tannins, acidity
and sugars, their old gold colour accompanying aromas of dried apricots
and chestnut honey.
Cialla
Cialla is a small valley that lies northeast to southwest, hidden
behind woods of chestnut, oak and wild cherry in the Colli Orientali
del Friuli DOC zone. The Cialla DOC zone is recognised for the cultivation
of native Friulian varieties only, and for the production of long-lived
wines.
Rosazzo
The Rosazzo DOC zone is located in hill country, facing east, southeast
and southwest. It receives some benefit from being near the coast
but its main feature is the temperature range during the day, due
largely to the zone’s position in relation to the northeast
Bora wind, which is cool in summer and cold in winter.
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 COLLIO
The Collio DOC zone extends across the hill country in the northern
part of the province of Gorizia, on the border with Slovenia. A
short distance away, Gorizia is the starting point for the “wine
route” through the Collio, an area noted for the excellent
DOC wines yielded by its 1,600 hectares of hillslope vineyards.
The zone produces nineteen wines from its superb grapes, which are
lovingly tended and hand-picked before being carefully selected
and skilfully vinified in the cellar.
The territory runs through hills of stratified marl and sandstone.
There are plenty of south-facing sites, ideal for growing superior
fruit. The Julian Pre-Alps provide excellent shelter from the cold
winds and the Adriatic coast helps to moderate the temperature range,
as well as reflecting the sun’s rays and giving the vines
a double helping of sunshine. The reds are soft and elegant, offering
warmth and roundness on the palate. Freshness is the main feature
of the whites vinified without the skins. In the mouth, they are
dry and beautifully balanced.
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 CARSO
Then Carso DOC zone extends from the Carso (Karst) plateau in the
province of Trieste to the sea, with a tiny corner peeking into
the province of Gorizia. The zone is a plateau of limestone rock
with a very dry, difficult, wind-swept climate battered by the Bora
gales. The excellent fruit grown on sun-drenched vines give the
wines a very distinctive personality. For example, the red Terrano
has a palate of violets and raspberries while the celebrated Malvasia,
a white variety brought from Greece to this zone and neighbouring
Istria, has an aroma-rich and slightly tangy flavour.
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 FRIULI
ISONZO
The Isonzo DOC zone includes most of the province of Gorizia and
is crossed by the clear waters of the river Isonzo. Its two sections
are separated by the river itself. The territory on the left bank
is noted for its chalk-poor, clay-rich soil mixed with red gravel.
On the right bank, the soil is very chalky, with white gravel. Both
areas are influenced by the Isonzo for the shifting of the river
bed and regular floods enrich the soil with nutrients.
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