Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia
History: Established as a DOC in 1974
Vineyard Area: 968 ha / 2,391 acres (2011)
Production: 13,530 hl / 150,380 cases (2011)
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Malvasia, Moscato, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Verduzzo, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Franconia, Merlot, Moscato Rosa, Pignolo, Pinot Nero, Refosco, Schioppettino
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh, WhSw, WhFr, WhFrSw): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Friulano, Gewürztraminer, Malvasia Istriana, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Verduzzo Friulano, and/or Welschriesling (aka Riesling Italico)
- Chardonnay (Wh): 100% Chardonnay
- Friulano (Wh): 100% Friulano
- Malvasia (Wh): 100% Malvasia
- Moscato Giallo (WhSw): 100% Moscato Giallo
- Pinot Bianco (Wh): 100% Pinot Bianco
- Pinot Grigio (Wh): 100% Pinot Grigio
- Riesling (Wh): 100% Riesling
- Riesling Italico (Wh): 100% Welschriesling
- Sauvignon (Wh): 100% Sauvignon Blanc
- Traminer Aromatico (Wh): 100% Gewürztraminer
- Verduzzo (Wh, WhSw): 100% Verduzzo
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro, RoSw, RoFr, RoFrSw): Any proportions of varieties named for Bianco and Rosso except Gewürztraminer
- Moscato Rosa (RoSw, WhSw): 100% Moscato Rosa
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd, RdSw, RdFr, RdFrSw): Any proportions of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Franconia, Merlot, Pignolo, Pinot Nero, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, and/or Schioppettino
- Cabernet (Rd): Any proportions of Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon
- Cabernet Franc (Rd): 100% Cabernet Franc
- Cabernet Sauvignon (Rd): 100% Cabernet Sauvignon
- Franconia (Rd): 100% Franconia
- Merlot (Rd): 100% Merlot
- Pignolo (Rd): 100% Pignolo
- Pinot Nero (Rd): 100% Pinot Nero
- Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (Rd): 100% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
- Schioppettino (Rd): 100% Schioppettino
SPARKLING WINES
- Chardonnay Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): Minimum 85% Chardonnay; maximum 15% Pinot Nero
- Moscato Giallo Spumante (WhSpSw): 100% Moscato Giallo
- Moscato Rosa Spumante (WhSpSw, RoSpSw): 100% Moscato Rosa
- Pinot Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): Any proportions of Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, and/or Pinot Nero
- Verduzzo Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): 100% Verduzzo
- Rosso Spumante (RdSpSw): Same as Rosso
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Vendemmia Tardiva (WhSw): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Friulano, Malvasia, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Verduzzo
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:
- For Vendemmia Tardiva, grapes must be dried on the vine to achieve a minimum potential alcohol level of 13.0% and cannot be harvested until at least 30 days after the beginning of the harvest
- Minimum alcohol level: 10.5% for Bianco, Friulano, Malvasia, Moscato Giallo, Traminer Aromatico, Rosato, Rosso, Merlot, Moscato Rosa, and Chardonnay Spumante; 11.0% for Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon, Verduzzo, Riesling Italico, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Franconia, Pinot Nero, Refosco, Schioppettino, Moscato Giallo Spumante, Pinot Spumante, and Verduzzo Spumante; 12.0% for Pignolo; 13.0% (potential) for Vendemmia Tardiva
- Aging: For Pignolo, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2)
