Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia is Italy's most northeastern wine region. Sandwiched between the foothills of the Dolomite Mountains and the Adriatic Sea and bordering both Austria and Slovenia, the region has an intriguing mix of climates and cultures. It gained fame during the 1960s when the application of new German winemaking techniques saw it become the first Italian region to release fresh, fruity white wines for the international palate. Today, it is still famous for deliciously full-bodied Pinot Grigio, bursting with juicy peach and tropical fruit flavors. But the wines are not all white. Red wine lovers will find plenty to admire in the region's Merlot, where juicy flavors of ripe red fruit complement oaky spice.