Friuli-Venezia Giulia's Collio and Carso regions represent ground zero for contemporary orange wine's revival. The area's unique terroir combines maritime influence with the protective Alps and distinctive 'ponca' marl soils, ideal for white grape varieties with skin-contact potential.
The region's flagship Ribolla Gialla grape proves particularly suited to extended maceration, developing complex aromatics and firm structure through skin contact. Traditional varieties like Malvasia Istriana and Vitovska similarly excel with oxidative handling and long macerations.
Friuli's modern orange wine movement emerged in the 1990s, drawing inspiration from Georgian traditions while developing distinct local interpretations. The region pioneered contemporary approaches to extended skin contact, including temperature control during maceration and innovative vessel use. These techniques spread globally, influencing orange wine production from California to Australia.
