Tired of Chardonnay? Try Friulano instead
There is a very beautiful wine area in the very far Northeast of Italy called Friuli – Venezia Giulia. A region which is very well known for value White Wine production. You probably have all heard or tasted a pleasant Pinot Grigio from that region but it is also very worth to discover a glass of Friulano which is a more flavorful wine compared to it.
It can definitely be called the Italian White house wine and one can find it in almost every household and restaurant in the Friuli area. Still it is very unfortunate that even local producers pay more attention to the demand of the more popular Pinot Grigio which is much more well known than the regional popular Friulano.
“Pinot Grigio is still increasing in Friuli and unfortunately the Friulano is decreasing,” Antonio Brisotto winemaker of San Simone mentions. The San Simone winery was established in 1915 and the family is taking best care that all their wines are 100% naturally produced. This includes the SYLTBAR San Simone Friulano which we name Silk because of its extraordinary smooth and fully flavored taste.
What is a Friulano Wine?
One of the reasons why this special wine isn’t that well known anymore is the name change. The grape of which Friulano was produced for hundreds of years was the “Tocai Friulano”. In 2004, Hungary obtained the exclusivity to name all its fantastic sweet wines Tocai. That is when the wine producers in Friuli and anywhere else had to come up with an alternative name. At the end they decided to call it Friulano after considering names like “Sauvignon Vert” or even “Sauvignonasse”. (But that sounded too French for the Italians.)
“It is unfortunate that we do not see and experience the Friulano more often because it is definitely one of the best wines of the Friuli region”, says Christian Koch, a German sommelier. “My favorite dishes to pair it with are San Daniele Ham or a strong flavored fish. The SYLTBAR San Simone Friulano is the one I enjoy most. The producer is all about the natural production of their wines and that is exactly what I am looking for.”
You can call Friulano a Niche wine for people who a really interested in wines. The Brisotto family who own a vineyard in Pordenone/Friuli are very proud of their Prestige Friulano Friuli DOC Grave. Anna Brisotto describes it as follows: “Our Friulano is straw yellow in color, has such a nice intense floral aroma and in the mouth it is round but with a good freshness enriched by mineral trails and citrus notes on the palate. It goes very well with strong flavored fish like anchovies, ham, seasonal white asparagus or a Pumpkin Cream. Our Friulano needs time to develop its flavors even after it has been served in the glass. Friulano in general is much more distinctive compared to Pinot Grigio. ”
Anna is of the opinion like many other Italian winemaker that Friulano is one of the best White Wines in the world.
The finest Friulano grapes are vinified in contact with grapes skin and the fermentation process is most of the time happening in stainless steel tanks.
You can find the SYLTBAR Friulano in some Southern Floridian restaurants and retail stores although hardly any American end consumers are aware of this even though you haven't heard of this special Italian White Wine. Most white wine drinkers only know Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc mainly produced in California. The retail prices for Friulano, depending on the wine and its age, range from $15.00 to $ 120.00. The lack of demand for Friulano is because no one knows about it, which is very unfortunate. It deserves so much more attention and recognition because Friulano is such an outstanding, fine balanced wine.
Friulano is the white grape most closely associated with the Northeastern Italian region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, usually just called Friuli. This region, located in the top corner of Northern Italy, borders Austria and Slovenia to the East. The South part of Friuli forms part of the Adriatic coastline which includes Trieste. This port was one of the most important ones of the Austrian and Hungarian Empire.
Friulano was very well known as Tocai Friulano. In 2007 a European Court ruled by protecting the famous Hungarian sweet wine name “Tokaji”, to prohibit its use. That is why the decision was eventually taken in Friuli to simply use the name Friulano. This means that the grape is originated from the Friuli region. Friulano has a very long history in Friuli but it was very often referred to a Southern French Sauvignonasse grape variety. In the beginning of the 19th Century it was introduced to the Friuli region and then the Italians named it after the high value Hungarian Tokaji/Tocai wines. It has been also found out that grape name Sauvignonasse is not similar at all to the Sauvignon Blanc grape variety. The flavor profile is completely different. Friulano has a much fuller body profile compared to the Sauvignon Blanc and less acidity too.
What does the Friulano White Wine Taste Like?
This is the best way to characterize the Friulano. It contains flower, pear, peach aromas and citrus fruits plus a beautiful almond finish. On top of it you can discover herbal and spice elements in Friulano too. The wine is also known for its low acidity and we call our SYLTBAR Friulano Silk because of its very soft and has a silky texture.
Friuli is known for being one of the very top wine regions in Italy. The Winemakers do have a wonderful geographical location. The beautiful mountains in the North and the Ocean on the East are the reason for a very different and special soil which allows to grow outstanding value White Wines of which the area Friuli is known for worldwide. We would like to point out the following excellent winemakers of Friuli San Simone, Jermann and Felluga.
But you can also find Friulano in other regions when it is blended with other grape varieties such as for example Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling or Chardonnay. This for example happens in Slovenia close to Italy. Friulano has also been imported by Chile from France in the 19th Century but today there is hardly any 100% Friulano found around the world. This includes France where Friulano is not grown anymore. Some California winemakers are trying something similar but these wines are called Sauvignon Vert and use the Muscadelle grape variety.
Unique White Wines
The SYLTBAR Silk Friulano is the Sauvignon Blanc of Italy. Unlike the Pinot Grigio and Chardonnay, the Friulano is an uncommon wine and very rare to be found in the United States. It’s named Silk because of its elegant and noble taste profile. It is a perfect choice for sophisticated wine drinkers who appreciate quality taste and can identify themselves with a real white wine lover. If this sounds like you, you’ll love our SYLTBAR Silk Friulano White Wine. It is dry, fresh and elegant with low acidity, balanced by a pleasing roundness and a good structure. Persistent, with a slight aftertaste of almonds and hints of glazed dried fruits. Silk is so delicate and fragrant. Best serve at 50-53.6 °F. This item is available exclusively on SYLTBAR.com.
- 100% Naturally produced Friulano from Friuli, Italy
- 100% Friulano Grape
- 125 calories per 6 oz glass (Avg. calorie count by glucose level )
- Notes of peach kernel & glazed almonds assume pleasant shades of hay & dry fruits
- Delicate, dry, fresh and gentle, with low acidity and president
- Food pairing: ham, salami, strong tasting fish, mushroom risotto, pumpkin
- 13% Alcohol Content by vol.
- 750ml (23oz) per bottle
- Very floral and fragrant bouquet
- Try it in a wider open Riedel White Wine glass
- Ideal serving temperature: 50-53.6 °F
Taste: Aromas of wild meadow flowers, almond blossom and ripe white fruits are followed by flavors of pear, peach and tropical fruits, with some citrus notes, a touch of honey and a very typical almond finish. It can also display mineral notes, as well as nutty elements, herbs and a little spice.
Body: Medium to full
Dry / Sweet: Dry
Acidity: Medium
Age: Drink while young; within two years after release. The very best wines can improve for up to five years or more.
Aka: Also known as Tocai Friulano, Sauvignonasse and Sauvignon Vert.
