Collio Wine Region

Collio wine region is considered one of the world's most unique, white wine regions in the world. It is a sub-region of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia wine region, in the far eastern corner of Italy. The region is notably well-known for its complex, fragrant Collio Bianco, a white wine with a strong aroma and fineness.

Collio’s quintessential style is set apart from the rest due to its soil types, known here as Ponca, the selection of indigenous and international grape varieties grown, and the specific production methods of winemakers in the area. These elements help create a style of wine found nowhere else in Italy or the world for that matter. 

The Collio Experience is a great way to try the wines of this region. You'll learn about wine selection, terroir, and traditional food that's mixed with ancient arts. the winemakers whom you will meet are of the utmost importance to your wine tour in Collio. 

Where is the Collio Wine Region?

Collio DOC is the denomination that refers to wines made near Gorizia, Italy, along the border with Slovenia. Collio DOC includes about 1500 hectares of vineyards located in the hills near our state capital city of Gorizia.

Unique Terroir of Collio Appellation

Collio is a curving region with lush green hills and terraces that is a part of the Province of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in Italy's far northeast. It is near Slovenia and situated between the Adriatic Sea and the Julian Mountains. Prepotto is a town to the north, Cormons is to the west, and Gorizia is to the east. 

One of the aspects that make this territory and its climate unique. The circle of the Julian Prealps, located to the north of the hilly area is an effective shelter from the cold northern winds. The proximity to the Adriatic coast helps to mitigate the temperature changes thus creating a mild and temperate microclimate ideal for viticulture. Grapes are kept dry by the warm currents from the Adriatic Sea, while the mountains to the north shield the area from chilly winds.

Soil is another really important factor. Most soils are made up of layers of marl and sandstone, also known as ponca. This supports the development of minerals and allows the wine to have salinity and minerality.

Collio DOC: Historic Hills and Vineyards

The history of wine production in the Collio region has its roots going back to Roman times, but quality breakthroughs began to happen around 1700 and 1800. During that time, the use of terrace-cultivation was perfected. This technique has been used up to today and continues to spread throughout the region, making it a common technique in modern times. Beginning in the second part of the 1800s, superior French and German grape types began to replace less desirable local kinds, with a focus on white grape varietals. 

Collio was certified as a Denomination of Controlled Origin in 1968, and a stringent manufacturing standard was created to ensure quality.

The interesting fact about Collio Wine Region

Since 2009, Collio wineries have been producing their own wines & packaging them in a specific bottle with a DOC label. This allows the wine to carry the DOC label and display its authenticating seal. The bottle is the same size and weight for both white and red, but not as wide as the standard-sized bottles. This new type of wine packaging helps to protect the environment and is more environmentally friendly. The characteristic elements, in addition to the shape, are the "Collio" mark with a yellow background imprinted on the part of the capsule that closes the bottle, and on the upper part of the neck, an embossed mark appears in ink.

What is Collio DOC Wine?

The structured and elegant Collio wines are proving to be quite popular as they're really good. There are certain ideal conditions for wine growing in Collio, located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. For example, vineyards on a hillside should have sharp changes in daytime and nighttime temperature. This leads to complexity and depth of flavor when the wine is enjoyed. There are many types of wine and each has their own unique taste and quality. 

Among the red wines of this region, Cabernet and Merlot are often in blended wine called Collio Rosso. The wines of Collio are famed for their intense ruby red, their nuanced and refined aromas with smooth and rounded bodies. Aging wine requires time and a lot of patience. The wines are made from well-aged grapes that have been left to ferment on the skins.

Collio Friulano is the most popular white grape variety in Collio DOC. It's known for wines with flavors of yellow apple, pear, and almond, while some winemakers ferment it in wood to enhance the flavor.

Collio Ribolla Gialla creates wines with a crisp, citrusy-yellow taste that smells and tastes like apple and pear.

Collio Malvasia is a grape indigenous to the Southern and Western Mediterranean region, producing delicious wines. The flavors of this grape often tend towards aromas like pear, apple, peach, and pepper when leaned as wine. Malvasia's sourness can create a crisp and full-bodied taste that has piquancy and acidity.

Collio Pinot Grigio has grown in this area since the 19th Century and is the most cultivated of its kind here. The grapes often have a copper hue, after being squeezed for a brief amount of time.

Collio Sauvignon Blanc is a versatile, structured wine. It has hints of crushed herbs that blend with sweet peach.

Collio Pinot Bianco wine is smooth and rounded, with a silky finish. It becomes more complex as it ages in large barrels.

Collio Chardonnay combines body, refinement, and drinkability. They are more structured than variants from other parts of northern Italy and more elegant than variants from warmer regions of the south.

Food to Pair with Collio Wine

Bresciani Casoncelli

It's a traditional Italian meal from the 15th century that combines cheese and bread with very thin dough. It was well-liked by workers because of its inexpensive cost and simplicity of preparation.

Similar to creating ravioli, preparing casoncelli involves folding thin pasta sheets over the filling and pressing at the edges. The pasta comes in a few different forms: in Camonica Valley, the filling is made of meat or vegetables; in Longhena, the filling is made of spinach or Swiss chard; and in Barbariga, the filling is rich and made of breadcrumbs, grated Grana Padano, meat broth, ham, spinach or Swiss chard, garlic, sage, and parsley.

Casoncelli bresciani are often served after being cooked in sugo burro e salvia (butter and sage sauce). Pasta is garnished with grated Grana Padano as a finishing touch. The meal is best paired with red wines like Collio Cabernet DOC.

Manzo all'olio

Manzo all'olio, which translates to "beef in oil," is a traditional Rovato-area dish. Olive oil, breadcrumbs, white wine, garlic, parsley, rosemary, anchovies, and beef (rump or priest's hat) are the ingredients. The meal is highly regarded and is prepared in a variety of ways by different cooks and families. 

The meat must first be rapidly seared to seal in the fluids and keep them within before being cooked gently to maintain tenderness. Manzo all'olio dates back to the 16th century, when Donna Veronica Porcellaga, a noblewoman, recorded the recipe.  The meal should be served with polenta on the side.

Brescia-Style Snails

Lumache alla Bresciana is an Italian dish made by cooking snails with spinach and hefty amounts of grated parmesan cheese. Other ingredients include onions, tomatoes, white wine, butter, olive oil, garlic, and parsley. It can also be served on the side with grilled polenta.

Places to Explore Nearby Collio Wine Region

Monte Isola,  One of the Jewels of Lake Iseo

When you visit Monte Isola, the secluded mountainside town in Italy, you can see some of the most beautiful nature. This location is quite different from other towns with a suspended atmosphere and narrow quaint sightseeing trails that are rough to venture on. If you decide to spend some time in the remote mountains of Italy, make sure to put Monte Isola on your list of places to visit- it's far from everyday life and just as amazing! Monte Isola is a small town situated on the hills of the island of Lago d’Isola in the Venetian Pre-Alps. It is famous for its beauty and its isolation from other settlements. The island of Lago d’Isola is a beautiful and majestic place which consists of a huge lagoon surrounded by mountains, creating a spectacular backdrop for the town which stands on its banks.

Ponte di Legno, A Magic Like Place With 1800 Inhabitants In The Alps

Continuing on your journey up the valley and past Passo del Tonale, you will reach Ponte di Legno. The light shows and snow-capped panoramas along this location are hard to forget. This is one of the best Italian destinations in the Alps that is open year-round.

Located in a UNESCO site in the Alpine region, Ponte di Legno is a popular ski resort and just minutes away from Brescia province. It's also located right in the heart of Adamello Park. This is also a favorite destination for many international tour companies who choose this awesome ski resort. This beautiful place is so different from the hustle and bustle of city life. It seems as if it is in a calming, relaxing world where you can escape to.

Frequently Asked  Questions