Geography & Climate
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is one of the twenty regions of Italy, and one of five autonomous regions with special statute. The capital is Trieste. It has an area of 7,856 km2 and about 1.2 million inhabitants. A natural opening to the sea for many Central European countries, the region is traversed by the major transport routes between the east and west of southern Europe. It encompasses the historical region of Friuli and the geographical region of Venezia Giulia, each with its own distinct identity.
Friuli-Venezia Giulia is Italy's most North-eastern region. It covers an area of 7,856 km2 and is the fifth smallest region of the country. It borders Austria to the North and Slovenia to the East; to the South it faces the Adriatic Sea.
Despite its relatively small dimension, the region boasts a wide variety of climates and landscapes (as well as cultures and traditions). 42.5% of its surface is made up by mountains, 19.3% by hills and the remaining 38.2% by the plains situated in the central areas and along the coast.
Morphologically the region can be divided into four main areas:
- the mountainous area in the north: this part of the region includes Carnia and the ending section of the Alps (Carnic Alps and Julian Alps), of which the highest peaks exceed 2,700 m above sea level (Jôf di Montasio 2,754 m.). Its landscapes are characterised by vast pine forests and pastures, mountain lakes (e.g. Sauris and Barcis) and numerous streams and small rivers descending from the mountains. The area is also known for its tourist destinations, especially during the winter season; - the hilly area, situated to the south of the mountains and along the central section of the border with Slovenia. The main product of agriculture in this area is definitely wine, whose quality, especially the white, is known worldwide; - the central and upper plains are characterised by poor, arid and permeable soil which, however, has been made fertile with an extensive irrigation system and through the adoption of new intensive farming techniques. In this part of the region most of the agricultural activities are concentrated; - the coastal area can be divided in two sections, separated by the mouth of the river Isonzo. To the West, the low, sandy coast, with numerous tourist resorts and the lagoons of Grado and Marano Lagunare; to the East the coastline becomes high and rocky all the way to Trieste and Muggia. Along this part of the coast the Carso plateau is situated. It extends over the provinces of Trieste and Gorizia, at an average altitude of 400 to 600 metres above sea level and is characterised by very specific geological features and phenomena.
The rivers of the region flow from the North and from Slovenia into the Adriatic. The two main rivers are the Tagliamento, which divides the Alps from the less high Alpine foothills, and the Isonzo. Another river of interest is the Timavo, which flows underground for 38 km from Slovenia and resurfaces near its mouth in Duino.
The region Friuli-Venezia Giulia has a temperate climate. However, due to the diversity of its territory, it varies considerably from one area to another. Protected by the Alps on the northern side, the region is exposed to air masses from the East and the West. The region is also open to the winds from the sea (scirocco), bringing with them heavy rainfalls. Along the coast the climate is mild and pleasant (Triest records the smallest temperature differences between winter and summer and between day and night), but becomes more continental in the mountain area, where, in some locations, the coldest winter temperatures in Italy can often be found. The Kras plateau has its own weather and climate, influenced, mostly during autumn and winter, by masses of cold air coming from the North-East.
These generate a very special feature of the local climate: the north-easterly wind Bora, which blows over the Gulf of Trieste with gusts occasionally exceeding speeds of 150 km/h [source: Wikipedia].
Wines
Though the wines produced in this region represent only two percent of the Italy's production, to some they are comparable in quality to wine produced in Piedmont and Tuscany, the two most celebrated wine producing regions of Italy. The main difference between the regions is that Friuli- Venezia Giulia wines are mostly white, though some exceptional red can be found as well.
The local wines are remarkable for the number of grape varieties that are used in their blends. In addition to the native grapes, different varieties have been introduced over time. Add to this the winemaking skills of the Friulani, and the result is the creation of exceptional wines.
The foremost white wine produced in this region is the Tocai Friulano. Because of a confusion between a Hungarian grape called Tokaj and a French one called Tokay, the European Community has demanded name changes of the French and Friuli grapes by 2006, allowing Hungary to keep the original Tokaj name. As a result, in a few years this most appreciated local white will be known under a different denomination, which we hope won't be an uninspired generic name such as Friuli Bianco or Bianco Friulano.
Other local whites include Chardonnay, Müller−Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Ribolla Gialla, Riesling Italiaco and Riesling Renano, Sauvignon Blanc, Traminer Aromatico, Verduzzo and Malvasia Istriana.
This last one is a somewhat metallic wine that complements wonderfully the Adriatic seafood recipes. It should not be confused with the Malvasia produced in Sicily, which is a totally different wine.
Among the red produced in Friuli−Venezia Giulia are Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Collio and Collio Cabernet, Merlot, Pignolo, Pinot Nero, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Tazzelenghe, and Terrano.
The Terrano is made with the Refosco grape grown in characteristic red soil. The peculiar quality of the sun and soil of the Carso area contribute to the wine's particular characteristics. Low in alcohol, it is sometimes prescribed by doctors to cure digestive problems as well as to patients who need iron, because its acidity is thought to be beneficial [source: Wine Country].
"Friuli-Venezia Giulia." Wikipedia (accessed 10/07/2009)
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Friuli-Venezia_Giulia
Wine Country. "Friuli-Venezia Giulia: The Oriental Border" (accessed 10/07/2009)
http://winecountry.it/regions/friuli
