Friuli-Venezia Giulia

Friuli-Venezia Giulia seems destined to be a popular area for vine-growing because of its dry upper plains, low-lying lagoons and mountainous coastlines. This variety of landscapes is perfect for growing grapes. The vineyards of this region are mainly in the plains but also on the hillsides. Merlot is the most common varietal representing more than 50 percent of overall grapes production in the region. Tocai and several other imported varieties are also grown. The wineries of Friuli produce many high-quality wines, with three-quarters of the vineyards registered as IGT or DOC zones.

Wine Trail-From west to east
* In Prata di Pordenone, Vigneti Le Monde (tel. 0434626096) at Via Garibaldi 2 has wine tasting by appointment.
* Principi di Porcia e Brugnera (tel.0434631001) at Via Zuiano 29 in Azzano Decimo has been in operation since the year 1200.
* Ca' Bolani (tel. 043132670) at Via Ca' Bolani 2 in Cervignano del Friuli produces 1,500,000 bottles of Aquileia DOC wine.
* Taste Ronc de Juri and Montsclapade at Girolamo Dorigo (tel. 0432674268) at Via del Pozzo 5 in Buttrio.
* Walter Filiputti (tel. 0432759429) in Manzano is one of the oldest wineries in Friuli.
* In Cormons, the Enoteca dei Produttori di Rosazzo (tel. 0481630371) has a room for wine sales and another for wine tasting, as well as an evening aperitif with free local wine tasting on Saturdays.
* Visit Schiopetto (tel. 048180332), Villa Russiz (tel. 048180047) and Russiz Superiore (tel. 048180328) in Capriva del Friuli.

Festivals and Culinary Events
* April: Gradisca d'Isonzo-Gourmand Gradisca
* May: Corno di Rosazzo-Festival of Wines of the Colli Orientali
* June: Faedis-Strawberry and Wine Festival
* July: Cividale del Friuli-Civitas (wine festival)
* August: Dolegna del Collio-Ribolla Festival; Manzano-Peach and Wine Festival
* September: Cormons-Grape-Harvest Festival
* December: Gorizia-Eurovite, the grapevine stock show