Friuli/Venezia-Giulia

DOC for a wide range of red, rosé and white wines in the Friuli-Giulia-Venezia wine-growing region in Italy. The zone includes the commune of Latisana, from which it takes its name, as well as a further 11 communes in the province of Udine. The area is located in the Isonzo basin on the Adriatic coast, with the well-known seaside resort of Lignano, and borders on the Veneto region in the west. The soils consists of sandy loess, sometimes mixed with gravel, and is particularly suited for red wines. Varietal-labelled wines must contain a minimum of 90% of the stated variety, the remaining 10% may be made up of other permitted varieties of the same colour. The wines are: Cabernet (from Cabernet Franc and/or Cabernet Sauvignon), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Franconia (synonym for Blaufränkish), Malvasia (from Malvasia Istriana), Merlot, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Riesling Renano, Sauvignon, Tocai Friulano, Traminer Aromatico and Verduzzo Friulano. No Bianco or Rosso is produced. Rosato is made from Merlot (70-80%), as well as from any combination of Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Refosco. Some of these wines are also made in Frizzante and/or Spumante versions, and also as Superiore (higher alcohol) and Riserva (matured for longer) variants. All of the wines are made in dry (secco) style, some also in semi-sweet (amabile) and sweet (dolce) styles. Very similar wine styles are made in the neighbouring DOC zones Friuli Annia, Friuli Aquileia, Friuli Grave and Friuli Isonzo.