Say: "Friulano from Friuli" - You Need To Learn About It!
-mistaken identities, court battles, and tongue twisters
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What’s on the table today?
Wine of course!
Haha! Which part of the world do you want to venture out to?
What do you think about exploring Northeast Italy?
It is a very important region in terms of volume. Two extremely popular wines, Prosecco and Pinot Grigio (aka Pinot Gris) come from Northeastern Italy and are considered great commercial successes.
There are three wine regions in Northeastern Italy: Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, and the Veneto, as seen on the map above.
Those are mouthfuls!
Let’s zone into Friuli-Venezia Giulia, which is typically shortened to Friuli!
Okay Pheuf, I can handle Friuli as a name!
Friuli borders Slovenia to its east, Austria to its north, the Veneto wine region eastward, and the Adriatic Sea to its south. On the map above you see the many subregions present. Friuli has a reputation for high quality single variety (not blended) whites, which is reflected in their production of about 75% white wine. There is a difference in quality between the vineyards found on the plains versus the hillsides – namely the Collio and Friuli Colli Orientali subregions. The featured wine today comes from the latter region.
Nice!
As mentioned above, Prosecco sparkling wine made using the tank method (aka not traditional/champagne method) is very important here (as well as the Veneto). It is made with the Glera grape and Pinot Nero/Pinot Noir (when made in rosé.)
For reds, their main grapes are Merlot and Refosco (a high tannin indigenous variety). Friuli is also known for their orange wines – wines fermented on the skins of white grapes, resulting in amber, orange, or gold colored wines.
Cuz wine’s color comes from the skins!
Exactly!
The two grapes that are by far the most grown in Friuli are Pinot Grigio/Pinot Gris and Glera. Many other white varieties are grown including: Ribolla Gialla (sometimes made as orange wine), Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, and Friulano.
Friulano from Friuli! That is fun to say!
In Italy, it is mainly grown in Friuli-Venezia but also in Lazio, Lombardy, and the Veneto. Its name in Friulano fits as it means “from Friuli,” while it is called Savignonasse or Sauvignon Vert elsewhere. To add confusion, in California, they call the Muscadelle grape Sauvignon Vert – which is not the same grape.
Man!
In 2003 it is confirmed that Friulano was Sauvignonasse, which comes from Bordeaux, France, although it is rarely found there now.
So Friulano “from Fruili” is a bunch of hooey!
I did a pretty deep dive into its origin, and while some sources imply that it is an indigenous grape to the region, I tend to believe the sources that state its origins are from France.
I do think that there is some uncertainty however, as its parents are still unknown.
Does that make it an orphan?
(insert silent pause)
The following genetics have yet to be published but according to Oxford Wine Companion, Fruilano/Sauvignonasse is the parent to Chenin Blanc, as it mated (naturally crossed) with Savagnin.
Both French grapes.
Exactly, giving credence to a French origin.
What we do know is that it is not Sauvignon Blanc’s direct descendent
Does it taste like Sauvignon Blanc?
Nope. Not even close. It doesn’t have the crispness and herbaceous notes that Sauvignon Blanc has however it can be richer than Sauv Blanc. In Chile, where it is now called Sauvignon Vert, it was erroneously called Sauvignon Blanc until it was proven otherwise.
This just keeps going.
In Slovenia, it went by the name of Zeleni Sauvignon (Zeleni meaning green). According to wine-searcher.com they officially changed its name in 2013 to Jakot (Tokaj backwards).
That seems random.
Well, I was hoping to not go there but I think I must. From as early as 1932, until the European courts in 2007 shut it down, the variety was called Tocai Friulano in Friuli.
Who took them to court?
Hungary.
Tokay is a famous place in eastern Hungary where a historic sweet wine called Tokaji is made. So, they petitioned that no other region could use the name, and Hungary won.
A type of copyright.
Exactly.
Pinot Gris from Alsace also used to call itself Tokay Pinot Gris. You may still find some old bottles labelled Tokay Pinot Gris from Alsace out there. But that was shut down too.
Who would you recommend this Friulano wine to?
Someone who likes whites that are more mineral focused. Someone who already likes Italian whites will love this. It pairs great with food. Someone who likes to explore different grape varietals will enjoy it too.
Okay I think I am ready to scroll down and learn about the featured wine!
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Cozzarolo Friulano 2024 from Friuli Colli Orientali, Northeast Italy
Style: Dry Minerally Moderately Full Body White Wine
Varieties: 100% Friulano
This rich and complex wine has floral, lemon, lemon meringue, mandarin orange, yellow apple, peach, papaya, barely ripe mango, and green almond notes with a hint of herbal flavors. The wine is intense in flavors and aromas and has a long finish.
Best pairings: The classic local pairings are Prosciutto di San Daniele, Asparagus, artichoke, or zucchini dishes (such as risottos, pasta, or with eggs). Otherwise consider Seafood (shrimp, calamari, or scallops), Pan-fried white fish in lemon butter and capers, Chicken & asparagus in lemon tarragon cream, Cheese: Fresh ricotta or Mozzarella di Buffala
Serving Temperature: 10-12 degrees Celsius
Serving Tips: Simply enjoy!
Price: ~$29 Cdn
If you're in Alberta and want a one-on-one wine curation experience, please reach out! No commitment or minimum purchase required. Interested? Please reach out!
If you live in Edmonton - I am here for you too! (No, contrary to the rumours - Cork is NOT opening a store in Edmonton BUT we want to deliver to YOU!)
A huge thank you to my paid subscribers—your support helps cover the costs of creating these weekly articles.
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SOURCES:
Consorzio Doc friuli. (2023, July 25). https://www.docfriuli.eu/en/
Friulano - white wine grape variety. Wine. (2024, August 20). https://www.wine-searcher.com/grape-1069-friulano?srsltid=AfmBOoqhXpFGdGXrEMsQMkTrdevbn0p6z8cw_La6-9-5FuDj3sfkKANt
Friulano wine guide: Learn about friulano grapes - 2025. MasterClass. (n.d.-a). https://www.masterclass.com/articles/friulano-wine-guide
Friulano wine guide: Learn about friulano grapes - 2025. MasterClass. (n.d.-b). https://www.masterclass.com/articles/friulano-wine-guide
Harding, J. and Robinson, J. (2023) The oxford companion to wine. Oxford, United Kingdom: Oxford University Press.
MacNeil, K. (2022) The wine bible. New York, NY: Workman Publishing.
Sauvignonasse. wein.plus. (n.d.). https://glossary.wein.plus/sauvignonasse
The wines of Northeast Italy. Andrea Wine. (2016, December 10). https://andreawine.com/wines-northeast-italy/
Wine & Spirit Education Trust (2021) D3: Wines of the World - An accompaniment to the WSET Level 4 Diploma in Wines. Version 1.2. London: Wine & Spirit Education Trust.
Vukovic, P. (2025, July 24). Friuli-venezia giulia wine map. Wine Scholar Guild. https://www.winescholarguild.com/wine-maps/italian-wine-maps/friuli-venezia-giulia-wine-map