The wines of North East Italy in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, truly rank alongside the two most prestigious wine regions of Italy, Piemonte and Tuscany. Are you looking for business translation services? Contact Translation Services UK
Sadly their wines are not often seen in the UK, which is a great pity for they are amongst the top white wines that Italy produces. We explore these wines from our lovely base in Udine, a little known city full of architectural gems such as the Loggia del Lionello with its Gothic arcades. The region was once part of the Austrian Empire, and the Habsburg legacy can be seen in the thriving café society scene. Our hotel is a converted villa from the 14th century; it is perfectly placed for wandering around this delightful city.
White wine dominates here, with native varieties excelling such as Friulano, which produces lean and dry wines with citrus and stone fruit characters; sparkling wine is made from Ribolla Gialla, and there is also some excellent floral Malvasia. International grape varieties in the form of Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are also present. For reds, Cabernet is the favoured grape, but local variety Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso is widely planted.
The food of the region again displays the influence of its Austrian, Hungarian and Slovenian neighbours, with hearty stews and casseroles, goulash and Viennese sausages featuring heavily. San Daniele del Friuli ham is a local speciality. Spices and dried fruit feature in sweet dishes and there are some wonderful cake shops that aren’t to be missed.
Canada Should Be Your Next Wine Tour Destination
Join expert Andrew Jefford there in 2019 and see why
Discover Canada’s wines
The wines being produced in Canada are steadily gaining international acclaim. Once you’ve sampled them first-hand, it’s easy to see why. In 2019, therefore, we are offering you the opportunity to explore this country and its wines alongside Andrew Jefford.
So, which vineyards and producers in Canada will we visit?
Hidden Bench – In its own words, “an artisanal, terroir-focused winery dedicated to crafting premium wines solely from our own certified organic estate vineyards.”
Domaine Queylus – We enjoy lunch and a tasting here. Canadian-trained wine-maker Kelly Mason uses her Burgundian experience to create Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, and we sample them.
Tawse Winery – Situated on the lower slopes of the Niagara Escarpment, this family-owned and biodynamic winery has three-times won Canada’s Winery of the Year accolade.
Westcott Vineyards – Owned by Grant Westcott and Carolyn Hurst, this winery has a fantastic story to tell. It does so through its precious grapes and stunning wines.
Trius Winery – We are welcomed for lunch at this winery and restaurant, which boasts a sustainable farm to table ethos.
Stratus Wines – An impressive gravity flow winery, which is one of the few pump-free wineries in the world.
Ravines Wine Cellars – This family-owned winery invites us for lunch. Here, we enjoy a field to table experience comprised of ethically raised meats and local ingredients.
Dr. Konstantin Frank – Renowned for igniting the “Vinifera Revolution”, which changed the course of wine-growing in the Finger Lakes and United States, we enjoy an interesting visit here and learn about the estate’s rich history.
Hosmer Winery – Established in 1985, the grapes grown here include Pinor Noir, Cabernet Franc, Lemberger and Riesling.
Why Arblaster & Clarke?
We take care of the transfers between tastings, the meals included in the tour and the specially-arranged visits, so that you can can focus solely on the wines. If you need more reasons why you should book a wine tour with us, click here. What’s more, if this will be your first wine tour, read our top tips for getting the most out of the experience here.
