Italy — wine

Friuli Colli Orientali DOC

Friuli-Venezia Giulia's finest white wine DOC — the eastern hills (Colli Orientali) bordering Slovenia on the same ponca marl-sandstone that defines Collio, with the additional presence of volcanic Tertiary soils (Eocene flysch) that give wines of particular mineral complexity. Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana, Pinot Grigio, Picolit (the historic sweet wine), and rare indigenous varieties like Schioppettino, Pignolo, and Refosco thrive here. The DOC is one of Italy's most diverse and intellectually engaging.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Good to very good; warm year produced ripe, accessible whites and concentrated Pignolo. Dorigo's red wines particularly expressive in this vintage.
2021 Outstanding Colli Orientali vintage — cool growing season preserved excellent natural acidity. Miani's production (already tiny) was reduced further; wines of outstanding mineral precision.
2019 Classic Friuli vintage — balanced conditions produced whites of ideal mineral definition. The reference year for understanding Friulano's ageing potential.