Viticulture has experienced some dark moments, risking even total destruction, but has always been able to be reborn as a point of strength and prestige of the regional economy.
The production is not very high, about 752,000 hl of wine in 2009, but is distinguished by the absolute qualitative value, especially of white wines among the best in Italy.
The factors that make these areas particularly voted for viticulture are above all the land, marly in the hilly areas, stony and clayey in the plains, the climate, rather mild in the province of Gorizia, and the wide diffusion of quality vines, fruit of a strict selection, which places this region at the top of the world in the production of rooted cuttings.
The most renowned traditional varieties are the Friulian, the Friulian verduzzo, the Istrian malvasia, the yellow ribolla, the picolit, and among those with red berries the refosco from the red peduncle and the pignolo, the latter able to give great wines.
The success of Friulian enology is also linked to the establishment of international wines, such as Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Riesling, Merlot, Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon.
The areas known in the world for the great whites are those corresponding to the Collioe in the Colli Orientali del Friuli, where the terrain, the particular flyscg of Cormòns, takes on a decisive value. In addition to whites and reds of great structure, in this territory is produced an elegant dessert wine, the Ramandolo DOCG, produced by verduzzo friulano. Another flagship among the dessert wines of Friuli is the DOCG Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit. Also in the area of the Colli Orientali, two red grape vines are cultivated, the tazzelenghe and the schioppettino, a bit particular also in the name: the first has the acidic and tannic components so decided to cut the tongue, the second crackling in the mouth thanks to its vivacity.
In the Grave DOC area, the pebbly ground that refers to the landscape of the Grave in the bordolese, creates the ideal environment for the Friulian, while in the area of the Karst DOC, characterized by white and gray rocks, vitovska, Malvasia istriana and terrano, quest 'last red berry, are expressed on good quality levels.