A vineyard in beautiful Friuli
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is best known for its tsunami of Pinot Grigio and lesser amounts of Prosecco (Veneto is best-known for Prosecco) but there is so much more to be found in this great region. White wines are king here for sure — this is a cool climate zone. The whites range from cheap and cheerful to sublime wines made with Ribolla Gialla and Friulano.
Reds are also made here including international varietals like Cab and Merlot but the local Schioppettino is the real star in my estimation with Refosco not trailing far behind. Schioppettino is an undervalued varietal that produces reds that may be light in color but offer generous and complex red fruits with ample acidity.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is home to 12 DOCs and four DOCGs: Rosazzo DOCG and Lison DOCG, produce whites made primarily with Friulano, Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG and Ramandolo DOCG making sweet wines from Picolit, and Verduzzo respectively.
Permitted grapes include:
White — Picolit, Pinot Grigio, Glera, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla
Red — Merlot, Refosco, Schioppettino
Back Italian Wine Regions
Carso-Kras – White and Red wines are made here.
Colli Goriziano – White and Red wines are made here.
Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG – Sweet wines are made here primarily with Picolit.
Delle Venezie – White, Rose, Rosé, and Sparkling wines are made here.
Friuli Annia – White, Red, Rose, Sparkling, and Rosé wines are made here.
Friuli Aquileia – White, Red, Rose, Sparkling, and Rosé wines are made here.
Friuli Colli Orientali – White, Red, and Sweet wines are made here.
Friuli Grave – White, Red, Rose, Sparkling, and Rosé wines are made here.
Friuli Isonzo – White, Red, Rose, Sparkling, and Sweet wines are made here.
Friuli Latisana – White, Red, Rose, Sparkling, and Sweet wines are made here.
Fruili – White, Red, and Sparkling wines are made here.
Fruili Venezia Giulia – White, Red, and Sparkling wines are made here.
IGP Alto Livenza – White, Red, Rose, and Rosé wines are made here.
IGP Trevenezie – White, Red, Rose, and Rosé wines are made here.
IGP Venezia Giulia – White, Red, Rose, and Rosé wines are made here.
Lison DOCG – White wines are made here primarily with Friulano.
Lison Pramaggiore – White, Red, Sparkling, and Sweet wines are made here.
Prosecco – Sparkling and White wines are made here primarily with Glera.
Ramandolo DOCG – Sweet wines are made here exclusively with Verduzzo.
Rosazzo DOCG – White wines are made here primarily with Friulano.