 Friuli-Venezia-Giulia, in northwestern Italy, accounts for 42 percent of the country's wine production, but its offerings are equal in quality to the more prominent wines of Tuscany and Piemonte. The region is composed of many different subzones. Colli Orientali is recognized mainly for its white wine production that utilizes both native and international varietals. White native varietals include Ribolla Gialla, Tocai, Verduzzo, and Picolit; red natives include Refosco, Pignolo, Schiopettino (Ribolla Nera), and Tarceleghe; Italian varietals include Muller Thurgau, Traminer, Aromatico, Reisling, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Grigio. Many international varietals like Chardonnay and Sauvignon Blanc are produced in purezza (made from only one type of grape) or, more important, in blends featuring combinations of Italian, native, and international varietals. Don't be afraid of seeing archaic vintages on whites from this region! Producers aim to produce whites that reach maturity four years after their vintage date. And-with the exception of wines grown in the Grave del Friuli-the estates are quite small, densely planted, and hard piled. The focus is thus on quality, not quantity, and prices will reflect this approach. Producers are currently concentrating on developing greater international recognition for their wine production.
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White Wine: |
 GRAPE: Tocai
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Straw Yellow
TASTE: This is an indigenous varietal to the Collio area, bearing no connection to the Hungarian wine Tokay, but most likely an old clone of Sauvignon, called Sauvignonasse. With a delicate skin it is very susceptible to mold and is best grown at the tops of hills where it can ripen easily. This excellent white shows forward peach and fig fruit tones followed by a light to medium body and a mineral finish. Exceptional with salads, oily fish, and seafood based pastas and pizzas. |
Red Wine: |
 GRAPE: Cabernet Sauvignon
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Intense Ruby Red with Violet Reflections
TASTE: Produced on the peak of the hill of Ruttars, where the position and geographical exposure makes it one of the most suited lands for grape cultivation in the Collio region, as well as all of Italy. Handpicked grapes are fermented 30% in French barrique, 70% in stainless steel tanks and then bottle refined, creating a slightly tannic, full-bodied red with flavors of raspberry and blackberry punctuated by a long finish. Excellent with red meats, game and ripe cheeses. |
 GRAPE: Merlot
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Ruby Red
TASTE: From the Livon family winery comes a medium bodied red that has little in common with the heavy-handed Merlots coming out of California. Generously soft, this red is filled with raspberries, blueberries, and just a touch of black pepper spice on the finish. The Collio is a horseshoe-shaped band of hills with the condition that DOC vineyards can only be planted on hillsides. Pair this wine with full flavored pastas, game, poultry, and all medium fare. |
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White Wine: |
 GRAPE: Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Picolit and Moscato Giallo
REGION: Collio
COLOR: Straw with gold reflection
TASTE: A tradition of consecutive perfect scores (tre bicchieri) for the Livon family winery. Utilizing the most modern viticulture, vinification methods and balanced barrique aging Braide Alte is a masterpiece. From the aromatic nose including herbs like thyme and mint to the silky smooth fruit flavors of golden apples and tropical fruit followed by slight oak and vanilla tones this white is a symphony of flavors unlike any other to compliment any meal. |
 GRAPE: Pinot Grigio
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Pale Straw With Green Tints
TASTE: This Pinot Grigio, grown in the Collio area, develops a unique mineral content, which compliments the golden delicious apple and tropical fruit notes, while the medium body and exceptionally long finish add to the elegance of this wine. Typically, the Livon family has planted and uses twelve to fifteen different clones of Pinot Grigio in this single vineyard wine. Great with any meal, from salads to seafood and other light meats. |
 GRAPE: Ribolla
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Straw
TASTE: A unique grape indigenous to the Collio area, this single vineyard white blends twelve different clones of the same varietal to produce a complex and elegant wine. Peach, pear, and apricot fruits dominate the forward flavors of this white, while the smooth-creamy texture is followed by a crisp, palate cleansing finish with honey notes. 70% fermented in stainless steel and 30% fermented in barriques from Allier, this wine is great with salads, seafood pastas, whole fish, poultry and pork. |
 GRAPE: Sauvignon Blanc
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Bright Straw
TASTE: A signature wine of the Livon family from the single vineyard “Valbuins.” The intense forward tropical fruit also shows hints of citrus while the medium body is complimented by the extraordinarily long finish with slight oak tones. Primarily paired best with seafood based pastas and fresh fish this wine also goes well with chicken, pork and other white meats in sweeter sauces. |
Red Wine: |
 GRAPE: Refosco
REGION: Collio
COLOR: Ruby With Violet Highlights
TASTE: A unique red from the single vineyard cru “Riul” in the hilly northeastern part of the Livon estate. This wine is hand picked, soft pressed and the fermentation is actualized at a controlled temperature on the skins for 18 days. The wine is aged for 13 months in barrique and fined in the bottle for one year. The result is a medium bodied red with balanced blackberry, blueberry and cassis fruit complimented by white pepper spice nuances and oak tones on the finish. |
 GRAPE: Schioppettino
REGION: Collio
COLOR: Brick Red With Orange Highlights
TASTE: A unique red from the Livon winery’s single vineyard “Picotis” in a truly traditional Venetian style. This earthy, full bodied red shows dried dark berry fruit flavors balanced by a long black pepper finish. Definitely a gem in the Livon winery’s portfolio that brings a unique style to the broad spectrum of wines produced in the Collio region. A great wine to compliment rich pasta dishes, risotto, grilled meats and marbled cheeses. |
 GRAPE: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Guilia, “Collio”
COLOR: Deep Ruby Red With Garnet Highlights
TASTE: The flagship red from the Livon winery, thanks to the Gambero Rosso’s “Tre Bicchieri” evaluation. A complex wine from the single vineyard Cru, “Tiareblu” refers to the rich blue clay soil of the area. This wine is aged three years in French Barrique barrels and refined one year in the bottle to develop the flavors that will embrace your palate with its seamless flavors. An elegant addition to sausage, ossobuco, all game, and rich cheeses. |
 GRAPE: Merlot
REGION: Friuli-Venezia Giulia, “Collio”
COLOR: Deep Ruby Red With Garnet Highlights
TASTE: This single vineyard “cru” called Tiare Mate represents yet another signature Livon wine. The warm, rich fullness on the palate is backed up with concentrated dark berry fruit, smoky notes and balanced oak tones. A “due bicchieri” score in the Gambero Rosso that has been selected for a final tasting by their tasting panel. This wine pairs best with full flavored meats, game, marbled cheeses and full flavored pasta dishes. Especially great with lasagna, venison, ossobuco, and rack of lamb. |
| Desert Wine: |
 GRAPE: Verduzzo
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Bright Gold
TASTE: A silky smooth wine from the single vineyard, Casali Godia, located in the eastern facing hills of the Colli Orientali del Friuli. This white shows intense vanilla character with hazelnut tones, honey nuances, and a long finish. The most well known dessert wine from the region, this easy drinking white is comparable to sauternes and late-harvest wines that are gaining popularity the world over. Great with gelato, fruit tortes, chocolate mousse, and crème caramel. |
 GRAPE: Picolit
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Pale Gold
TASTE: From the single vineyard, Cumins, this is a very popular dessert wine that reached its height in popularity during the Victorian era, around the turn of the century. A product of meticulous selection, where literally 3-5 berries per cluster achieve proper ripeness and are used to make the wine. The floral bouquet is complemented by the spicy flavors and rich, dry finish. Excellent with sharp cheeses, fresh fruit, and all types of dessert. |
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White Wine: |
 GRAPE: Chardonnay
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Bright Straw Yellow
TASTE: This crisp white from the Collio region is vinified in 100% stainless steel creating a truly palate cleansing experience while highlighting on the flavor and elegance of the Chardonnay grape. Fresh apple and peach fruit complement velvety sensations on the palate and a clean, hazelnut infused finish. Great with salads, seafood and poultry. |
 GRAPE: Pinot Grigio
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Straw Yellow With Green Reflections
TASTE: From the vineyards of Chiopris-Viscone comes this hand harvested white vinified totally in stainless steel. A unique mineral content coupled with a floral bouquet and citrus notes, namely traces of lime, complement a medium body and long finish. A perfect match with pasta dishes, soups, pork and poultry. |
 GRAPE: Tocai Fruilano
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Straw Yellow
TASTE: This is an indigenous varietal to the Collio area has a delicate skin that is very susceptible to mold and is best grown at the tops of hills where it can ripen easily. This excellent white shows an intense floral bouquet, pronounced almond notes on the palate, followed by a light to medium body and a dry, mineral laced finish. Accompanies appetizers, especially prosciutto (particularly San Daniele), and is exceptional with salads, oily fish, and seafood based pastas and pizzas. |
Red Wine: |
 GRAPE: Cabernet Sauvignon
REGION: Collio
COLOR: Intense Ruby Red with Violet Reflections
TASTE: From the Chiopris vineyards comes this full bodied red. Handpicked grapes are fermented in stainless steel tanks and then bottle fined, creating an herbaceous bouquet, blackberry fruit flavors and smooth tannins punctuated by a long finish. Excellent with red meats, game and ripe cheeses. |
 GRAPE: Merlot
REGION: Friuli-Venezia-Giulia
COLOR: Ruby Red With Violet Reflections
TASTE: From the Livon family winery comes a medium bodied red that has little in common with the heavy-handed Merlots coming out of California. Generously soft, this fruit driven red is filled with raspberries, blueberries, and is just a touch herbaceous on the finish. Pair this wine with full flavored pastas, game, poultry, and all medium fare. |
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