Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
History: Established as a DOC in 1975
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Malvasia, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Verduzzo
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Refosco
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 50% Friulano + OAWG
- Chardonnay (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): 100% Chardonnay
- Friulano (Wh): 100% Friulano
- Malvasia Istriana (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): 100% Malvasia Istriana
- Müller-Thurgau (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): 100% Müller-Thurgau
- Pinot Bianco (Wh): 100% Pinot Bianco
- Pinot Grigio (Wh): 100% Pinot Grigio
- Riesling (Wh): 100% Riesling
- Sauvignon (Wh): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Traminer Aromatico (Wh): 100% Gewürztraminer
- Verduzzo (Wh, WhSw): 100% Verduzzo
- Superiore (Bianco, white varietals)
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro, RoFr): Any proportions of authorized red grapes
- Superiore (Rosato)
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 50% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso + OARG
- Cabernet (Rd): 100% Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc (Rd): 100% Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Merlot (Rd): 100% Merlot
- Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (Rd): Minimum 90% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso; maximum 10% Refosco Nostrano
- Novello (Rosso)
- Superiore (Rosso, red varietals)
- Riserva (Rosso, red varietals)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante or Spumante di Qualità (WhSp): 100% Chardonnay
Note: The disciplinare does not specify a percentage for the varietal wines, but it does allow adding up to 15% must or wine from other similar-colored grapes from within the DOC, making the varietals potentially an 85% minimum of the stated variety.
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum alcohol level: (For Superiore, add 0.5% for each category except 1.0% for Friulano) 10.5% for Bianco, Friulano, Malvasia, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Rosato, Rosso, and red varietals; 11.0% for Chardonnay, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, Verduzzo, and Novello; 11.0% for Spumante; 12.0% for Riserva
- Residual sugar: Maximum 20 g/l (2.0%) for frizzante versions of white varietals; maximum 45 g/l (4.5%) for Verduzzo amabile; minimum 45 g/l (4.5%) for Verduzzo dolce; Spumante can range from brut to dry
- Aging: For Riserva, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 11, V+2)