Friuli-Venezia Giulia is an autonomous region in Italy, located in the extreme Northeast of the country, bordered by Austria and Slovenia to the north and east respectively. The eponymous wine region has four DOCGs, twelve DOCs and three PGIs and is best known for its white wine production. 77% of the region's wines are white, one of the highest proportions of any Italian region. The region's wines are distinctly different from other Italian wines in that they are made from non-traditional Grape varieties such as Sauvignon blanc, Riesling and Pinot blanc, as well as typically Italian varieties such as pinot gris and picolit.
The resulting wine varies depending on whether it is produced in the MediterraneanClimate of the South or the continental alpine climate of the north. In general, the wine produced here is fresh and Fruity, as one would expect from a cool climate wine zone. Friulano, the characteristic white grape of Friuli, is a classic example of these refreshing wines. It was once known as Tocai Friulano, but misleading associations with the prestigious Hungarian wine Tokaji led to a change under international law (it is now simply called Tai).
Pinot grigio is a grey grape variety mutated from Pinot Noir. It has its origins in Burgundy, where it is called pinot-beurot in reference to the colour of the grey robes worn by the monks of the region. Established in Alsace since the 17th century, pinot grigio was called tokay until 2007. It is made up of bunches of small berries that vary in colour from pink to blue-grey. It is particularly well suited to the continental climate because it is resistant to the cold in winter and to spring frosts. This variety also likes dry limestone soils with plenty of sunshine in the summer. pinot grigio is well suited to late harvesting or to the selection of noble grapes, depending on the year and the concentration of sugars in the berries. Pinot grigio wines are distinguished by their aromatic complexity of white fruits, mushrooms, honey, vanilla, cinnamon, etc., and their great finesse. In the Loire Valley, pinot grigio is used in the Coteaux-d'Ancenis appellations. It gives dry or sweet wines with pear and peach aromas.
wines from the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia go well with generally quite well with dishes of pasta, shellfish or mature and hard cheese such as recipes of quiche with tartiflette, yellow risotto with mussels or franco-comtois beef.
On the nose in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia often reveals types of flavors of pineapple, cream or oaky and sometimes also flavors of citrus, beeswax or smoke. In the mouth in the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a powerful with a nice freshness.
