Collection: Friulli Colli Orientali

Colli Orientali del Friuli lies in the eastern hills of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, right up against the border with Slovenia. Here the landscape rises above the surrounding plains, and it is precisely this elevation that gives the appellation its distinctive character. With a soil of limestone, marl and sandstone, the area counts among the most sought-after vineyard zones in all of Friuli-Venezia Giulia.

Colli Orientali del Friuli is first and foremost home to varietal white wines, where both native Friulian grapes and international white varieties are grown. The wines follow the aromatic, fresh white-wine style that Friuli helped define in the 1960s and 70s, and which still characterises the area today. If you want to get closer to the classic local grape, you can explore Friulano, and among the international varieties Merlot also plays a role in the region.

The location on hills and slopes is decisive for the quality. The vineyards get better light exposure and drainage than on the flat plains, and the cooler night-time temperatures that come with the elevation help shape the expression of the wines. The grapes are given time to ripen calmly while freshness is preserved, and that is a large part of the appellation's strength.

Colli Orientali del Friuli is a fine place to begin if you enjoy white wines with both aroma and crispness. If you would like to see the area in a wider context, you can delve further into Friuli-Venezia Giulia as a whole or into Italian wines in general.