Border identity: Alpine character and Central European influences
Our selection of Friulian red wines represents a fascinating journey through one of Italy's most distinctive wine-growing regions, where Alpine influences blend with Central European and Mediterranean elements to create a unique oenological mosaic. Friuli Venezia Giulia, a borderland par excellence, has developed an extraordinary viticultural biodiversity over the centuries, preserving and promoting native grape varieties of rare character that today represent an invaluable heritage. This region, mainly known for its extraordinary whites, also produces reds of surprising character and finesse, the result of complex and varied terroirs: from the alluvial soils of the plain to the marl and sandstone of Collio and Colli Orientali, to the calcareous soils of the Carso. The climate, influenced by both cold Alpine currents and the Adriatic breeze, gives the wines a characteristic freshness and savouriness. Our collection showcases both the historic producers who have kept the local tradition alive and the new generation of winemakers who are reinterpreting this heritage with a contemporary sensibility, creating wines that combine territorial identity and stylistic refinement.
The native protagonists: Refosco, Schioppettino, Pignolo and Terrano
At the heart of our selection are four great indigenous red grape varieties that best express the identity of Friuli. Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, the undisputed star of regional viticulture, stands out for its aromatic profile of small dark fruits, spices and a characteristic herbaceous note, supported by a vibrant structure with firm tannins and lively acidity. Schioppettino (or Ribolla Nera), an ancient grape variety saved from extinction in the 1970s, produces wines of extraordinary elegance with unmistakable notes of black pepper, wild berries and violets, a refined tannic texture and vibrant acidity that guarantees great longevity. Pignolo, a variety that had almost disappeared and was recovered thanks to the tenacity of a few producers, produces wines of great structure and power, characterised by significant tannins and a complex bouquet of black fruits, spices and balsamic notes, capable of extraordinary evolution over time. Finally, Terrano, typical of the Karst area on the border with Slovenia, where it grows on the characteristic red ferrous soil (the “terra rossa”), offers wines of surprising colour intensity, vibrant acidity and an unmistakable ferrous and mineral profile. Our collection explores the different territorial and stylistic interpretations of these grape varieties, from the most immediate and fruity versions to single cru selections and more structured and complex reserves.
Beyond the autochthonous varieties: local rarities and international interpretations
Friuli's oenological wealth goes far beyond the four main protagonists, and our selection also highlights the fascinating expressions of lesser-known but extraordinarily interesting grape varieties. These include Tazzelenghe, whose dialect name (“taglialingua”, meaning “tongue cutter”) evokes its extraordinary acidity and tannicity; Cjanorie, a local variety with spicy and peppery notes; and Forgiarin, a very rare grape variety recovered by a few passionate producers. Our collection also includes Friulian interpretations of international grape varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, which in this particular terroir take on distinctive characteristics compared to expressions from other regions, with a characteristic freshness and aromatic finesse. Particular attention is paid to traditional blends such as Pignolo Riserva and Schioppettino Riserva, which combine different varieties according to ancient local recipes, and to more modern experiments that explore new expressive possibilities for native grape varieties. There is no shortage of productions that follow organic, biodynamic and natural viticulture principles, an area in which Friuli has been a pioneer at national level.
One region, multiple identities: from Collio to Carso
The geological and climatic diversity of Friuli translates into well-defined territorial expressions, which our collection enhances in all their nuances. From the elegant and refined reds of Collio and Colli Orientali, where the marly and sandy soils of Eocene origin (the characteristic “ponca”) give the wines minerality and structure, to the more full-bodied and Mediterranean interpretations of Grave, where the alluvial soils rich in skeleton give rise to wines of great fruity character. From Carso, with its calcareous soils that produce wines of extraordinary tension and verticality, to the small productions of the mountainous areas, where particular microclimates allow for unique expressions of local grape varieties. Each bottle in our selection tells the story not only of a grape variety or a production style, but also of the very essence of a frontier territory, where different influences have stratified over the centuries, creating an unmistakable oenological identity. Friulian reds are now one of the most interesting and still partially unexplored expressions of the Italian wine scene, capable of surprising with their character, longevity and austere elegance that perfectly reflects the soul of this land. Whether you are an enthusiast in search of local wines with a strong identity or a curious explorer of rare and little-known varieties, our collection of Friulian reds offers a fascinating wine journey through one of the most authentic and least standardised regions of the Italian wine scene.
