Friuli Grave Wine Region Guide

The highly regarded sub-region of Friuli Grave has an array of wines known throughout the world for their primer quality and sophistication. Located in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, in the northeast of Italy, near the border of Slovenia, the Friuli Grave wine sub-region has a distinctive charm reflected in the exquisite taste of its wines. Friuli Grave's quintessential style is set apart from the rest due to its soil types, ideally situated between the Alps and the Adriatic Sea, the selection of grape varieties grown, and the specific production methods of winemakers in the area. These factors inspire a style of wine found nowhere else in Italy or the world, for that matter. This wine appellation is famous principally for its white wine produced from various authorized grapes, among which the Pinot Grigio represents the majority. Other prominent grape varieties like Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Friulano are also used for production. Red wine is produced in much lesser amounts from Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon grape varieties. 

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Where is the Friuli Grave wine region located?

Friuli Grave is a sub-region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, a famous wine region in northeast Italy, bordering Slovenia and Austria. Located inside the provinces of Pordenone and Udine, Friuli Grave is the largest appellation in the region, covering one-third of its territory. The area stretches around 17000 hectares of vineyards. The sub-region is blessed by having both Alp mountains and the Adriatic Sea, which reflects in its terroir. Also, the important river of Tagliamento borders the Friuli Grave sub-region. Being the largest sub-region, the Friuli Grave is besieged by other notable wine appellations of the region, such as Lison, Lison-Pramaggiore, Friuli Latisana, Friuli Annia, Friuli Aquileia, Friuli Isonzo, Collio, Friuli Colli Orientali, and Carso.

The History of Friuli Grave wine region

The Friuli Grave wine region has a long history of wine-making that dates back to Roman times, when Emperor Augustus introduced grape vines to the region. Due to its location, the region has belonged to different empires over time. The region of Friuli Grave has been claimed by many cultures and influenced by them. Roman, Germanic, and Slavic cultures, in particular, have left their marks on the Friuli Grave region at different points in time. The name Friuli was used by the Lombards who settled here in 568 AD and is derived from a Germanic tribe called "Fridul." So for many years, Friulians were not associated as pure Italians. After years of blended leadership in the 20th century, the Friuli Grave became an independent and authorized DOC by attaining appellation status in 1970. Along with wine-making, the region is famous for its food, culture, and traditions.

Friuli Grave wine region terroir

Friuli Grave wine appellation soil is stone-gravelly, alluvial, and rich in limestone. Even the name of the sub-region, “Grave,” originates from its soil characteristics. This kind of soil helps in the ripening process by retaining the day's heat and distributing it in the evening; therefore, it acts as a radiator, and the temperature during the day and night is maintained even. Concerning the drainage, the stone-gravelly soil is also beneficial here as it retains the water from rainfalls. The climate of the Friuli Grave wine region is maritime in the southern part of the region, and the weather is drier and warmer than in the north, where it tends to be cooler and rainier. Friuli Grave terroir's aspects are reflected in its wines' balanced taste and characteristics.

Friuli Grave wine characteristics

Friuli Grave wine region produces red, white, rosé and sparkling wines. Friuli Grave Pinot Grigio is a signature​​ grape variety; there are other varieties, however, for producing white wine, such as Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Friulano and Riesling. As for red wine, they are mainly produced from Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Refosco grape varieties. Rosé wines are the blend of respective red and white authorized grape varieties. All wines are almost mono-varietal, meaning that 95% consist of one main grape variety and the rest 5% of another. The minimum alcohol content is 10.5% for still wines and 11% for sparkling. Friuli Grave wines tend to be crispy, elegant, and fresh with herbaceous and fruity notes, having a good balance of sweetness and acidity, with a maximum residual sugar level of 10 g/l.

Food to pair with Friuli Grave wine

Beef tartare with radicchio Rosso, raspberry vinegar and clementine jelly

This exotic beef appetizer or even dish originates specifically from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region; made of marinated chopped beef in extra virgin olive oil and raspberry vinegar, clementine jelly to garnish and radicchio Rosso, which would be directly translated as red radish, still, it is more like an Italian type of chicory leaves. Served with fresh raspberries, a sprinkle of red salt, some edible flowers and another splash of raspberry vinegar, this delicacy is excellent to pair with Friuli Grave wine, especially red. 

Boreto alla graisana

Proximity to the sea indicates that fish dishes are also pretty typical in the region. Boreto alla Graisana is a clear example of this, the simple but very delicious dish made from fresh, locally caught turbot or cod fish seasons with olive oil, garlic, vinegar, salt, and pepper. This authentic, traditional dish is usually accompanied by white polenta and a glass of Friuli Grave wine. 

Paparot

Paparot is an Italian version of French onion soup, but this one is very typical to the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region. Made of spinach, butter, cornmeal, onions, garlic, salt and pepper, this succulent soup is topped with Parmigiano cheese and a dash of olive oil and goes exceptionally well with Friuli Grave white, for example, Zuccolo Friuli Grave wine. 

Places to visit in the Friuli Grave wine region

Cividale del Friuli

Julius Caesar founded Cividale del Friuli in the 1st century BC. The town is home to many significant archaeological sites and has been designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Cividale del Friuli Old Forum is one of Europe's most important archaeological sites. The site is located on a hill overlooking the modern town, which sits at its feet. The site includes remains from three different periods: Roman (1st-4th century AD), Late Antique (4th-6th century AD), and Medieval (6th-8th century AD).

Santuario Beata Vergine di Castelmonte

The sanctuary is a Roman Catholic sanctuary in Friuli, located on the top of a hill; it was constructed in 1469. It is dedicated to the Virgin Mary and has an octagonal layout with an unusual shape. It is located at 618 m altitude above sea level and served as the city's defence from Barbarian invasions during many periods. The interior has a single nave with three chapels on each side. Although it is a bit far and up in the hills, due to its uniqueness, fantastic architecture and historical-religious meaning, it does worth the drive. 

Museo Archeologico Nazionale 

Museums are important places for people to visit because they offer unique ways to learn about different cultures and periods. Especially Museo Archeologico Nazionale is an excellent chance for people to discover Lombard culture and what life was like during those periods. It is way easier than reading about them in books or online. The museum, founded in 1817 by Michele Della Torre Valsassina, has a collection of over 20,000 archaeological artefacts and items dating from the Stone Age to the Middle Ages. The archaeological finds have been collected from various regions within Italy and other countries such as Greece, France, Bulgaria, Romania, and Slovenia.

Frequently Asked Questions about Friuli Grave wine region