Buy Italian Wines - Fruili Venezia Giulia Online

Fruili’s hills are Italy’s sanctuary of modern white wine. Todays Fruili style is represented by polished whites of pure, soft, yet fresh aromas, smooth textures and alluring flavours. The region also makes a major share of Merlot and Cabernet, along with distinctive reds from the native Refosco, with some weight, firm structure, excellent fruit and incisive character.

The region has had great success with its single varietal white wines. Friuli’s own Malvasia Istriana, Ribolla Gialla and Verduzzo show great elegance, whereas Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio and Pinot Bianco from the region tend to be stylish and refined expressions of the grapes. Oak ageing has not been common among whites: most of the wines are delicately fragranced with a very pure character and would not benefit from it. Some producers are experimenting with oak ageing and blending grapes for a more complex style, with great success.

Red wines from Friuli have tended to be single varietal wines made from Italian grapes like Refosco as well as Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Pinot Nero. Historically they were light and approachable and not designed for cellaring. But this is a region where experimentation and forward thinking in the winery is as much part of the routine as homage to traditional techniques is in other parts of Italy. Consequently there are some fine blends on the market, often aged in oak barrels. The resultant wines have great depth and complexity and a firm structure that ensures they are capable of ageing.