Friuli Aquileia

The "Friuli Aquileia" Protected Designation of Origin, in addition to the white, red and rosé specifications, includes wines with the following indications of grape variety: Merlot, Cabernet, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Refosco dal peduncolo rosso, Friulano, Pinot bianco, Pinot grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon, Traminer aromatico, Chardonnay, Verduzzo friulano, Malvasia Istriana and Muller Thurgau.

Grapes

All Friularo Aquileia wines with an indication of the vine variety must be produced exclusively from the relative grapes. In the case of Cabernet, both Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon can be used; in Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, on the other hand, the use of local Refosco grapes is envisaged. In the basic versions of white and red, on the other hand, the presence of at least 50% of grapes from specific vines is required, identified in the Friulano for the white and in the Refosco dal peduncolo rosso for the red. Other similar berry varieties may also be used, provided they can be grown in the territories covered by the designation. For the rosé, finally, the specification provides for a blend of grapes from red grapes also used for wines with specific indication.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The white wine (10. 5% vol., rising to 11% vol. in the Superiore) is straw-coloured, with different intensity; it releases a pleasant and fine aroma and is harmonious and velvety on the palate. The red (10.5% vol.) is ruby red and, as it ages, tends towards garnet; it has an intense, fine and winy aroma and a dry and soft taste. In the Novello variant (11% vol.) the aroma becomes more fruity and the flavour savoury and characteristic. The hue of the rosé (10. 5% vol.), on the other hand, tends towards a pale cherry and goes well with a vinous, intense and pleasant aroma and a dry, harmonious, full and lively flavour. Finally, the types of wine with an indication of the vine variety are enriched with the peculiarities of the specific grape variety, which can be precisely traced in the product specification.

Grape production area

The production area coincides with a large flat area in the province of Udine, overlooking the Grado Lagoon.

Specificity and historical notes

Aquileia was an important wine-producing centre of the Republican Rome, a commercial hub for the populations of the Alps and the Danube.