Viticulture in the Friuli- Venezia Giulia region
The Friuli-Venezia Giulia region grows many varieties of different vines. Mainly white varieties are grown there. About 180 million liters of wine are produced here annually. This is about 3.6% of Italy’s total production! The vineyards cover 24,000 hectares, where the crops are spread out over various terrains. From flat, hilly terrain through steep vineyards in the east to rocky landscapes. Many small family-owned wineries, despite growing inter-national varieties, have old, little-known vines in their vineyards that have never been forgotten.
Grapevine species
Manzoni Bianco
Manzoni Bianco is a white wine grape variety used in Veneto, northeastern Italy. It is usually used in the production of still, dry whites, many of which are full-bodied yet fresh, with spiced, floral characters and a touch of minerality. The variety was created in the 1930s. Its parents are both grown predominantly in cool climates and Manzoni Bianco prefers the same, and as such is well-suited to the cool growing conditions found in many Veneto vineyards.
Ribolla
A white grape commonly grown in the Italian province of Friuli. Wines from the production of this grape are characterised by strong acidity, hints of peach, citrus and apple and a light floral profile. Dry white wines and occasionally sparkling wines are made from this variety.
It originated in the Caucasus and became established in the 14th century on the cisalpine hills and slopes of the Julian Alps around Gorizia. The skins of its fruit are thick, intensely yellow and dotted.
Picolit
Picolit is an Italian white-wine variety used in the production of sweet late-harvest and passito wines in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The variety has a long and proud history and was for several centuries made into a wine served to the clergy and nobility of northern Italy. Picolit is thought to have originated in the Rosazzo region, just south of contemporary Picolit vineyards, although this region is better known for its dry wines made from Fruliano. It is also very delicate,
both as a wine and as a vine, meaning that it must be harvested by hand so the fruit does not get damaged.
Friulano
Known by its elders as Tocai Friulano. The variety is best known for its white wines in Friuli. The wines tend to be vibrant and fruity. The species ripens early but buds late and bears a lot of fruit, so it has to be watched to avoid losing quality. The vine prefers dry vineyards because it is susceptible to many diseases due to its thin skin. The grape is believed to have been cultivated in Friuli since around 1600.
Verduzzo
The name may refer to two distinct white wine varieties from north-eastern Italy, Verduzzo Friulano and Verduzzo Trevigiano. They were first mentioned in 1409. Verduzzo Friulano is particularly grown in the province of Udine! It is mainly grown in the flat areas of Friuli. The wines can be dry but also sweet and even sometimes sparkling. They are usually strong and golden in colour.
