|
|
 |
Exploring Friuli-Venezia Giulia
|
| Still pretty much off the beaten tourist path, Friuli-Venezia Giulia is a truly splendid region, blessed with rolling hills, a lovely stretch of coastline and its convenient proximity to Venice, Slovenia and Austria. The area's longstanding and highly developed wine culture and tradition of growing grapes have shaped the landscape. There are many interesting itineraries for these "wine hills", which are well worth exploring. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
THE "WINE HILLS", FROM UDINE TO CIVIDALE DEL FRIULI |
|
|
| If you travel east from the city of Udine, which is near the center of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and proceed along the Slovenian border, you will not fail to notice a marvelous constant: the thriving vineyards. The area known as ''Colli Orientali'' constitutes one of the nine DOC (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata) / Quality wines produced in a specific region) denominations into which the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region has been divided, offering a rich range of red and white grapes, from native to international varieties. For people who appreciate great white wines, some of the most famous ones are the Tocai, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Riesling, Pinot bianco and Pinot grigio; for those who want internationally famous reds there is Merlot, Cabernet and Pinot nero. |
|
|
|
|
|
If you are someone who enjoys seeking out exceptional wines, this is the place for you. Your quest will focus on Pignolo, Schioppettino and Refosco for red wines, and Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo and Picolit for the white ones. The town of Buttrio in the southeast of the region is famous for its historic monuments and also has a treasure of unparalleled worth; Pignolo. Produced in very small quantities, it is a ruby-red wine with a dry flavor, constituting a perfect accompaniment to the local dish of goulash and absolutely wonderful with the traditional "musets" (soft, fat sausages), which are baked under hot ashes.
The area around the town of Torreano to the north of Cividale di Friuli is best explored during the local paper-flower festival which is held each year on the third Sunday of September, when a big procession winds through the town's streets, gaily decorated with thousands of paper flowers. The festival is a good excuse for trying some Schioppettino, a delectable ruby or garnet red wine with a persistent bouquet that is traditionally drunk with polenta and game dishes.
What's the best way to set off a tasty bowl of barley and vegetable soup? The answer is a fine Ribolla Gialla. It's straw-yellow color, subtle notes of acacia, chestnut and oak and delicate freshness serve as an enticing incentive to further exploration of the area around Cividale del Friuli, which is just west of the Slovenian border. It was first a Roman settlement, then overrun by the Longobards and, finally, the seat of the Friuli Patriarch.
Passing through Manzano to the south of Cividale del Friuli, it's well worth your while to stop and visit the biggest balsamic vinegar-maker in the world, where the vinegar is left to age for many years in casks made from various kinds of wood. The must of the local white grapes is used to make a fragrant balsamic vinegar called ''Asperum'', which has a sweet-and-sour, highly aromatic flavor. If you find this vinegar tempting, you should treat yourself to a local specialty of the area around the town of Faedis, which is to the northwest of Cividale del Friuli: baked salami served with onions and sprinkled with this heavenly vinegar.
Strolling through the nearby highlands, with their enchanting medieval castles and winding paths, is the best way to discover the area's outstanding wines and culinary specialties. Be sure to try the local Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, known and loved for its distinctive purple hue and complex structure, which enables it to be aged up to 3 years. This wine goes very well with the local, medium-aged goat's cheese; the classic "frico" (a traditional local dish made from fried potatoes and cheese); pasta dishes topped with zesty sauces; and grilled meat.
North of the city Udine, at Nimis, near Ramandolo, the vineyards of Verduzzo grapes turn out the fine DOCG (Denominazione d'Origine Controllata e Garantita / Controlled and Guaranteed Denomination of Origin) Ramandolo, a wine known for its golden color and intense, sweet bouquet, and boasting a minimum alcohol content of no less than 15 °C. This particular wine is best with sweets, deserts and tangy aged cheeses.
The "Colli Orientali" area offers a real feast for the senses: the sweet wine called Picolit . If you happen to visit Premariacco, which is to the east of the city Udine, and the imposing medieval castle in the village of Ipplis, it is de rigueur that you sample this limited-production wine, known for its unmistakable flavor and aroma. Picolit wine is made from the extremely delicate grapes of the same name. These grapes grow only here and imbue the wine with its distinctive acacia-honey sweetness and intense flavor, not to mention its elevated alcohol content of 14 °C. |
|
|
|
|
 Lą di Moret Hotel Restaurant
Viale Tricesimo, 276
33100 Udine
Tel e fax: +39 0432 545096
Internet site: www.ladimoret.it
E-mail: hotel@ladimoret.it
Closed: Sunday for dinner, Monday for lunch
Seating capacity: 300
|
|
|
|
|
