Situated in the northeast of Italy, with its wide variety of landscapes, Friuli-Venezia Giulia feels as much Slavic and Austrian as it does Italian. In fact, Friulian culture is surely more Central European than Mediterranean as it is a true crossroads of civilizations. About 96% of the region falls under the title of Friuli. Venezia Giulia is just a sliver of land between Friuli and Slovenia, the remnant of a much larger area that was dismantled after WWII. Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s cuisine, as one might well imagine, is also influenced not only by Italian traditions but by the region’s great diversity, ranging from the classic Friulan Prosciutto di San Daniele to Beef Goulash. Friuli is known for its incredible white wines – though they only make up about 33% of the total wine production – thanks to their unparalleled structure, character and aromas. The region has four DOCGs and ten DOCs made from varieties that reflect the area’s multicultural traditions, with international grapes like Pinot Blanc, Chardonnay, Cabernet, Merlot being grown alongside native varieties, such as the celebrated Friulano, the rare and treasured Picolit, the fragrant Ribolla Gialla as well as Franconia, Pignolo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, and Tazzelenghe. There are 23,100 hectares (57,100 acres) under vine with just over one million hectoliters of wine being produced.
Map of the region
