WineGuessrWine region · Italy
Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a north-east Italian wine region on the Slovenian border, known for white wines from Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc. In 2022 it produced over 2.2 million hl of wine, 86% of it white, under 4 DOCGs and 12 DOCs, including Collio.
| Country | Italy |
|---|---|
| Climate | Warm days and cool nights between the Alps and the Adriatic |
| Main grapes | Pinot Gris, Sauvignon Blanc, Glera, Merlot, Chardonnay, Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Verduzzo Friulano, Picolit |
| Key appellations | Collio, Friuli Colli Orientali, Isonzo, Carso, Ramandolo, Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit, Rosazzo, Lison |
| Wines on WineGuessr | 3 |
History
Phylloxera devastated Friuli's vineyards in the 19th century, and the region's modern revival began in the 1970s. Mario Schiopetto was a pioneer: he bottled and sold wines from individual vineyards and brought cold-fermentation techniques from Germany, inspiring other growers to found their own wineries. Friulian winemakers became known for pressing white grapes quickly and protecting the juice from oxygen, an approach called the Friuli method. The worldwide success of Pinot Grigio in the 1980s and 1990s further changed the region. In the opposite direction, since the mid-1990s some producers on the Slovenian border have revived amber or orange wines, whites fermented for a long time on their skins.
Terroir and appellations
Friuli-Venezia Giulia lies between the Alps and the Adriatic, with warm days and chilly nights that keep acidity in the grapes. It has 4 DOCGs (Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit, Lison, Ramandolo and Rosazzo), 12 DOCs and 3 IGPs. The most prestigious hill zones are Collio, in the province of Gorizia on the Slovenian border, and Friuli Colli Orientali, around Cividale del Friuli in Udine province. Collio's soils are calcareous marl and flysch sandstone, and more than 85% of its wine is white. Other DOCs include Isonzo and Carso. The Prosecco DOC also extends into the region.
Grapes and wine styles
About 86% of the region's 2022 output was white. Pinot Grigio, Glera for Prosecco, Merlot and Friulano are the most planted grapes. Friulano, formerly called Tocai, is the local signature white, alongside Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay and Malvasia Istriana. Collio producers favour fresh, fruity varietal whites over oak ageing. Native reds include Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Schioppettino, and Collio Rosso blends Merlot with the Cabernets. Sweet wines are a speciality: Ramandolo is made from Verduzzo Friulano around Nimis, and Picolit gives a rare sweet white in the Colli Orientali.
3 wines from Friuli-Venezia Giulia on the map
Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine: questions and answers
What is Friulano wine?
Friulano is the signature white grape of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, formerly called Tocai Friulano. It is widely grown in Collio and the Colli Orientali.
What is Collio wine?
Collio is a DOC in the province of Gorizia on the Slovenian border, known for white wines from Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Pinot Grigio and Sauvignon Blanc grown on marl and sandstone hills.
What is orange wine from Friuli?
Orange or amber wine is white wine fermented for a long time on its skins, giving it colour and tannin. Producers on the Friulian border with Slovenia have revived the style since the mid-1990s.
What grape is Ramandolo made from?
Ramandolo is a sweet white DOCG made from Verduzzo Friulano grapes around Nimis in the province of Udine.
Other wine regions of Italy
All wine regions →Sources: italianwinecentral.com, en.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org
Last reviewed October 2026.