Description
The Friuli Colli Orientali PDO is reserved for the following types of wine: White, Red and Sweet. The Designation also incorporates numerous grape variety and geographical specifications.
Production Area
The production area of Friuli Colli Orientali PDO is within the territory of numerous municipalities in the Province of Udine, in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region.
Description of product typologies
Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Bianco is straw-yellow, varying in intensity; the nose displays fragrances of tropical and citrus fruit and wild flowers; it is pleasant and smooth on the palate, with dense, intense flavours that range from fruity to fine and elegant floral hints. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has undergone an ageing period of at least 2 years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Rosso is various shades of ruby red, tending towards garnet red with ageing; the nose is intense, with hints of brushwood and small fruit and grassy and spicy notes; it is balanced and fresh on the palate, with complex tannins and good body. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has undergone an ageing period of at least 2 years, commencing November 1st of the year in which the grapes were produced. Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Dolce is deep straw-yellow, at times golden or amber; the nose offers sensations of herbs, rose petals and caramelised sugar; it is sweet and harmonious on the palate, with possible hints of vanilla.
Geographical and sub-area specifications
The Friuli Colli Orientali PDO can be accompanied by five geographical sub-designations. Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Cialla followed by the specification of one of the following grape varieties: Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo Friulano, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino or by the specification White or Red; Riserva may be displayed on the labels of all the above-mentioned wines if they have undergone a minimum ageing period of four years, commencing January 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. The Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Ribolla Gialla di Rosazzo is reserved for white wines obtained from the Ribolla Gialla grape variety. The Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Pignolo di Rosazzo is reserved for red wines obtained from the Pignolo grape variety and cannot be released for consumption before November of the third year following the grape harvest. The Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Schioppettino di Prepotto is reserved for red wines obtained from the Schioppettino grape variety. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine is not released for consumption before September of the fourth year following that in which the grapes were harvested. The Friuli Colli Orientali PDO Refosco di Faedis is reserved for red wines obtained from the Refosco Nostrano grape variety. It can display Riserva on the label if the wine has undergone a minimum ageing period of three years, including in wood, commencing January 1st of the year following that in which the grapes were produced. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
Grape variety specifications
The Friuli Colli Orientali PDO may display following grape variety specifications. From white grape varieties (incl. Riserva): min. 85% Chardonnay, Malvasia (Malvasia Istriana), Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling (Riesling Renano), Sauvignon, Friulano, Verduzzo Friulano, Traminer Aromatico, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. From red grape varieties (incl. Riserva): min. 85% Cabernet (Franc and/or Sauvignon), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pignolo, Pinot Nero, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Refosco Nostrano, Schioppettino, Tazzelenghe, pure or with the addition of similarly-coloured grapes originating from other grape varieties suitable for cultivation in the concerned area, max. 15%. The characteristics of the colour, fragrances and flavour of each specification are those typical of the grape variety and terroir of origin.
