The Friulano
Grape
Formerly known as Tocai Friulano, this white grape variety is indigenous to the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in northeastern Italy. Friulano produces medium-bodied wines with flavors of pear, apple, and almonds, often with a characteristic note of bitter almond on the finish. It is known for its minerality and crisp acidity.
Friulano
Grape History
Friulano is a white wine grape variety that originates from the Friuli region in Italy. Historically known as Tocai Friulano, this grape has a long and storied history dating back to the 13th century. It is believed to have been brought to the Friuli region by Hungarian Benedictine monks who settled in the area. The grape thrived in the region's unique climate and soil conditions, becoming a signature variety of the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region.
Friulano is a versatile grape that can be made into a variety of wine styles. It is known for producing full-bodied, aromatic wines with flavors of peach, almond, and floral notes. Friulano wines are typically dry and have a good acidity, making them well-suited for aging in both stainless steel and oak barrels. It is often used as a single varietal wine, but it is also commonly blended with other local grape varieties such as Ribolla Gialla and Malvasia Istriana.
Friulano is primarily grown in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region of Italy, where it is the most widely planted white grape variety. It is particularly well-suited to the region's hilly terrain and temperate climate, which provides ideal growing conditions for the grape. The grape is also grown in other parts of Italy, as well as in countries such as Slovenia and Argentina.
In recent years, Friulano has gained popularity among wine enthusiasts and has been receiving increasing attention from wine critics. Its unique flavors and versatility make it a favorite among sommeliers and wine connoisseurs. As consumers seek out more distinctive and lesser-known grape varieties, Friulano is poised to become a more prominent player in the international wine market.
Overall, the future looks bright for Friulano as interest in this grape variety continues to grow. Its rich history, distinct flavors, and adaptability to different winemaking styles make it a wine grape with great potential for continued success and recognition in the global wine industry. With the ongoing rise of interest in unique and indigenous grape varieties, Friulano is well-positioned to carve out a niche for itself as a beloved and sought-after wine among enthusiasts and connoisseurs alike.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel