Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
History: Established as the Colli Orientali del Friuli DOC in 1970; Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit became a separate DOCG in 2006; name changed in 2011; former subzones Ramandolo and Rosazzo (for a Friulano-based Bianco only) became separate DOCGs in 2011
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Malvasia, Picolit, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Verduzzo
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pignolo, Pinot Nero, Refosco, Schioppettino, Tazzelenghe
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Friulano, Malvasia Istriana, Picolit, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Verduzzo Friulano
- Bianco from subzone Cialla only (Wh): Any proportions of Picolit, Ribolla Gialla, and/or Verduzzo Friulano
- Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OAWG
- Friulano (Wh): Minimum 85% Friulano + OAWG
- Malvasia (Wh, WhFr, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Malvasia Istriana + OAWG
- Pinot Bianco (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Bianco + OAWG
- Pinot Grigio (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio + OAWG
- Ribolla Gialla (Wh): Minimum 85% Ribolla Gialla + OAWG
- Riesling (Wh): Minimum 85% Riesling + OAWG
- Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OAWG
- Traminer Aromatico (Wh): Minimum 85% Gewürztraminer + OAWG
- Verduzzo (Wh, WhSw): Minimum 85% Verduzzo + OAWG
- Riserva (all white wines)
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Any proportions of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pignolo, Pinot Nero, Refosco, Schioppettino, and/or Tazzelenghe
- Rosso from subzone Cialla only (Rd): Any proportions of Refosco and/or Schioppettino
- Cabernet (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Carmenère + OARG
- Cabernet Franc (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Franc + OARG
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OARG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OARG
- Pignolo (Rd): Minimum 85% Pignolo + OARG
- Pinot Nero (Rd): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OARG
- Refosco from subzone Faedis only (Rd): Minimum 85% Refosco Nostrano + OARG
- Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso + OARG
- Schioppettino (Rd): Minimum 85% Schioppettino + OARG
- Tazzelenghe (Rd): Minimum 85% Tazzelenghe + OARG
- Riserva (all red wines)
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Dolce (WhSw): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Malvasia, Picolit, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Verduzzo
- Riserva (Dolce)
Subzones:
- Cialla (Bianco, Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo, Rosso, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, and Schioppettino only)
- Faedis (Refosco only)
- Prepotto (Schioppettino only)
- Rosazzo (Pignolo and Ribolla Gialla only)
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for all non-subzone wines except Dolce and for Refosco di Faedis; 12.0% (potential) for Dolce; 12.0% for all Cialla and Rosazzo wines; 12.5% for Schioppettino di Prepotto
- Aging (non-subzones): For Riserva, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2); for Pignolo, minimum 3 years (ERD = November 1, V+3)
- Aging (subzones): For Cialla Bianco, Cialla Ribolla Gialla, and Cialla Rosso, minimum approx. 5–6 months (ERD = April 1, V+1); for Refosco di Faedis, minimum approx. 7 months (ERD = June 1, V+1); for Cialla Verduzzo, minimum approx. 14 months (ERD = January 1, V+2); for Schioppettino di Prepotto, minimum approx. 22 months, including 12 months in barrel (ERD = September 1, V+2); for Cialla Refosco and Cialla Schioppettino, minimum approx. 26 months (ERD = January 1, V+3); for Refosco di Faedis Riserva, minimum approx. 38 months (ERD = January 1, V+4); for Schioppettino di Prepotto Riserva, minimum approx. 46 months, including 12 months in barrel (ERD = September 1, V+4); for Pignolo di Rosazzo, minimum 4 years (ERD = November 1, V+4); for Cialla Riserva, minimum 4 years (ERD = January 1, V+5)