Note: This denomination has not yet been approved. Its governing rules (disciplinare) were published in the federal record for a 60-day comment period at the end of April 2016. At the end of that period, any objections or comments will be evaluated, and a final disciplinare—which may vary considerably from this draft proposal—will be published.
Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
History: Proposed as a DOC in April 2016
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Verduzzo
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Refosco
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Malvasia Istriana, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Ribolla Gialla, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Verduzzo Friulano
- Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OANWG
- Friulano (Wh): Minimum 85% Friulano + OANWG
- Malvasia (Wh): Minimum 85% Malvasia + OANWG
- Pinot Bianco or Pinot Blanc (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Bianco + OANWG
- Pinot Grigio or Pinot Gris (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio + OANWG
- Riesling (Wh): Minimum 85% Riesling or Welschriesling + OANWG
- Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OANWG
- Traminer Aromatico (Wh): Minimum 85% Gewürztraminer + OANWG
- Verduzzo Friulano (Wh, WhSw): Minimum 85% Verduzzo Friulano + OANWG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Any proportions of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Merlot, Pinot Nero, and/or Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
- 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
- Pinot Nero or Pinot Noir (Rd): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OARG
- Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso + OARG
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and/or Pinot Nero
- Spumante Metodo Classico (WhSp): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and/or Pinot Nero
- Ribolla Gialla Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 85% Ribolla Gialla; maximum 15% Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and/or Pinot Nero
- Ribolla Gialla Spumante Metodo Classico (WhSp): Minimum 85% Ribolla Gialla; maximum 15% Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and/or Pinot Nero
Significant Production Rules:
- Standard Spumante and Ribolla Gialla Spumante must be fermented in autoclaves for a minimum of 18 months (9 months if the autoclave uses stirrers)
- Vintage-dated Spumante and Ribolla Gialla Spumante must be fermented in autoclaves for a minimum of 90 days (30 days if the autoclave uses stirrers)
- Metodo Classico wines must undergo second fermentation in bottles, beginning no earlier than February 1, V+1, and lasting at least 9 months, followed by another 9 months or more of bottle aging after disgorgement
- Minimum alcohol level: 10.5% for all still wines; 11.0% for all sparkling wines
- Residual sugar: Spumante and Ribolla Gialla Spumante can range from extra brut to extra dry; Metodo Classico wines can range from pas dosè (zero dosage) to extra dry
- Aging: For vintage-dated Spumante and Ribolla Gialla Spumante, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2); for Metodo Classico wines, minimum 25 months after beginning second fermentation (ERD = March 1, V+3); for vintage-dated Metodo Classico wines, minimum 37 months after beginning second fermentation (ERD = December 1, V+3)
