Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto
History: Established as a DOC in 1985, incorporating the Tocai di Lison DOC from 1971; from it, Lison was established as a separate DOCG in 2011
Vineyard Area: 371 ha / 916 acres (2013, V)
Production: 14,740 hl (total 2013/14, V); avg. 185,700 cases bottled annually
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Friulano, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Verduzzo
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Refosco
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): 50–70% Friulano (locally Tai in Veneto); 30–50% Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Verduzzo Friulano
- Chardonnay (Wh): Minimum 85% Chardonnay + OANWG
- Pinot Grigio from subzone Pordenone only (Wh): Minimum 85% Pinot Grigio + OANWG
- Sauvignon (Wh): Minimum 85% Sauvignon Blanc + OANWG
- Verduzzo (Wh): Minimum 85% Verduzzo + OANWG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): 50–70% Merlot; 30–50% Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbec, and/or Refosco
- Cabernet (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, and/or Carmenère + OANRG
- Cabernet Franc from subzone Pordenone only (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Franc + OANRG
- Cabernet Sauvignon from subzone Pordenone only (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OANRG
- Carmenère (Rd): Minimum 85% Carmenère + OANRG
- Malbech (Rd): Minimum 85% Malbec + OANRG
- Merlot (Rd): Minimum 85% Merlot + OANRG
- Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (Rd): Minimum 85% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso + OANRG
- Riserva (Rosso, Merlot, Refosco)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp): Any proportions of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and/or Pinot Nero
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Verduzzo Passito (WhSw): Minimum 85% Verduzzo + OANWG
- Refosco Passito (RdSw): Minimum 85% Refosco + OANRG
Subzone:
- Pordenone province in Friuli–Venezia Giulia
Significant Production Rules:
- Grapes for Passito must be dried on or off the vine to achieve a minimum potential alcohol level of 15.0% and cannot normally be pressed until December 8
- Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Spumante; 11.5% for Verduzzo; 12.0% for Bianco, white varietals except Verduzzo, Rosso, Cabernet, and red varietals except Refosco; 12.0% for Verduzzo Passito (15.0% potential); 12.5% for Refosco, Rosso Riserva, and Merlot Riserva; 13.0% for Refosco Riserva; 13.0% for Refosco Passito (15.0% potential)
- Residual sugar: Spumante can range from extra brut to dry
- Aging: For Bianco and white varietals, minimum 3 months (ERD = February 1, V+1); for Rosso and red varietals, minimum 4 months (ERD = March 1, V+1); for Verduzzo Passito, minimum 12 months (ERD = November 1, V+1); for Refosco Passito, minimum 18 months (ERD = May 1, V+2); for Riserva, minimum 24 months (ERD = November 1, V+2)
