Colli Orientali del Friuli ('eastern hills of Friuli') is one of the most significant DOC titles used in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, in the far north-eastern corner of Italy.
The Colli Orientali hills are home to some of Friuli's most prestigious vineyards. The terroir is similar to that of the hills around Gorizia (see Collio Goriziano) and the two areas use many of the same grape varieties. The white grape that steals the show here is not a native of Friuli, nor of any Italian region. It is the internationally popular Sauvignon Blanc, originally from western France (Bordeaux and the Loire Valley) and now famous as the white-wine grape of New Zealand. It is followed closely in popularity by four varieties which are very much traditional and local: Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Verduzzo and Picolit. Picolit, regarded very highly throughout the north-east of Italy, has its very own DOCG title when produced here: Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit, which is Picolit's answer to Verduzzo-based Ramandolo.
Most of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region is renowned for its white-wine production, however within this DOC the reds also shine. The varietal gems are led by Refosco, which delivers wines with incredible blackberry fruit intensity that is underpinned by a strong line of minerality. This is followed closely by Pignolo and Merlot. The rest of the reds favor Merlot's Bordeaux counterparts Cabernet Franc and Cabernet Sauvignon, and the local varieties Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino and Tazzelenghe.
The Colli Orientali hills themselves are the product of millions of years of alpine tectonics and geomorphology, and this shows in the complex, stratified, mineral-rich soil make-up. The region has a very specific geomorphology known as 'Ponca' in the Friulano dialect, but in more official, geological circles as flysch di Cormons. 'Flysch' is a rock type formed by repeated sedimentary cycles, resulting here in alternating layers of marl (calcareous clay) and sandstone.
Vineyards here enjoy a certain increased altitude (averaging 1300ft / 400m) and are terraced on gently rolling hills, which is ideal for quality viticulture. Also, thanks to natural climatic shelter provided by the Julian Prealps (a mountain range between the Resia Valley and the Friulian Plains), the area is protected from the cold north winds. Higher planting densities, older vines and the continental climate also lead to lower yields, which lead to a greater flavor concentration and higher-quality wines.
This DOC viticultural area is divided into three sub-zones. In the north sits Ramandolo, home of the eponymous, much-respected dessert wine made from Verduzzo grapes. In the center is the commune of Cialla, which produces wines under the designations Cialla Bianco and Cialla Rosso, as well as sweet and off-dry wines. Cialla's whites are made from Picolit and Verduzzo, its reds from Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and Schioppettino. The third zone, in the far south, is Corno di Rosazzo. The Ribolla Gialla variety is thought to have originated in this area, and still thrives there today. This last area is famed for its wines made in the off-dry (Rosazzo Pignolo) and sweet (Rosazzo Picolit) styles.
