| Friuli Venezia Giulia |
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The Friuli Venezia Giulia region, well known for its white wines and passito sweet wines, such as Ramandolo and Picolit, is rich in native vine varieties with interesting names: ribolla gialla, schiopettino, refosco dal peduncolo rosso, terrano. There is a great variety of landscapes, from the mountain areas to the sea coast and wines are influenced by the microclimate of the different zones. Among the leading production areas are the Colli Orientali, Collio, Isontino, Carso, lower Friuli and the Grave Doc zone. The Colli Orientali territory stretches along the eastern hills in the province of Udine, close to the border with Slovenia. The wine tourist can visit Cividale del Friuli and its Archaeological Museum, with rare pieces of Longobardic jewelry; the beautiful town of Tarcento, with its historic center, restored after the earthquake of 1976; Faedis, a town of ancient origins, with a precious wooden altar by Giovanni Martini (1522), in the church of Santa Maria Assunta. The wild, wooded territory of the Valli del Natisone is also worth a visit, with the small town of Buttrio and its historical villas, and Rosazzo, site of a Benedictine abbey, which has preserved native vine varieties for centuries.
The Collio territory, an important wine production zone, is in the province of Gorizia, near the border with Slovenia and it is characterized by gentle hills and elegant white wines. The small town of Oslavia is known for its monumental Ossuary, keeping the remains of the soldiers fallen during the first World War. In Dolegna del Collio, there are some interesting votive churches. Cormòns, a farming town of ancient origins, has a beautiful historic center.
The Isontino area, crossed by the Isonzo river, is mostly situated in the province of Gorizia. Gradisca d’Isonzo is a fortress town, built in the fifteenth century against the threat of Turkish invasions. Grado is known as a seaside resort and spa center on the northern Adriatic coast and for its characteristic historic centre, which looks a little like a miniatureVenice. Other wine production zones are lower Friuli and the lagoon area, stretching south of Udine down to the Adriatic coast, while the Grave Doc zone is located in the province of Pordenone, between the Tagliamento River and the border with Veneto. Here is Spilimbergo, the capital of decorative mosaics, with some interesting churches (the Cathedral of S. Maria Maggiore, the small church of S. Cecilia) and a castle, consisting of buildings from various ages.
Places Not to Miss Founded by the Romans as a military colony in 181 B.C., Aquileia changed in later centuries, with the advent of Christianity. It is one of the most important archaeological sites in northern Italy. It has a basilica of great architectural value, built originally in the year 313 AD, with two parallel halls. Between 1021 and 1031, it was rebuilt, according to the wishes of the patriarch Popone and a 73-meter high bell tower, with a spire, was erected. New elements in the Gothic style were added after the earthquake of 1348, followed by some Renaissance additions. The ancient walls preserve a mosaic floor of the fourth century, with Old Testament scenes in the naturalistic style of Hellenistic origins.
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