The Friulano grape, formerly known as Tocai Friulano, is a white wine grape that originates from the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in north-east Italy. Renowned for its heavy honey notes and delicious almond finish, this grape variety has been popular amongst viticulturists and wine lovers for many centuries. An interesting facet of its history is that it was forced to drop the 'Tocai' from its name in 2007 due to a legal dispute with the famous Hungarian Tokaji wine which has a similar name.
Friulano is currently one of Friuli's most planted grape varieties and the wines produced from it are usually unoaked to showcase its fresh clean flavours. The wines feature rich floral and orchard fruit profiles, depending on how ripe the grapes are when harvested. Early harvest can result in heavy green apple and herbal flavours, whereas later harvest can bring forth notes of ripe peach, pear and even tropical fruits.
Friulano is well known for producing dry wines with medium acidity and body, characterised by their soft texture and high alcohol content. Some vineyards even leave their Friulano grapes to wither on the vine until late autumn, subsequently creating wines with a deeper complexity and natural sweetness.
Despite being relatively unknown outside its native region, Friulano is gaining recognition and appreciation on an international level for its versatility and unique flavour profile. It is often enjoyed with traditional Friulian dishes such as Prosciutto di San Daniele and Montasio cheese. Vineyards in other parts of the world such as Australia and Argentina have begun experimenting with this grape variety, confirming its rising popularity on the global wine stage. The Friulano grape represents an essential part of Italian viticulture and offers an intriguing and delectable choice for any wine aficionado.
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