Introduction

Nestled in the northeastern corner of Italy, the region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia is widely celebrated among oenophiles for producing some of Italy’s most refined white wines. 

One standout example is La Viarte Friulano 2022, hailing from the Coll i Orientali DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata). 

In this review, we explore everything you need to know about this wine: its origin, grape variety, production, sensory profile (appearance, nose, palate, texture), ageing potential, food pairings, and value for money. By the end, you’ll have a full grasp of whether this bottle deserves a place in your wine cellar.

Wine Origin & Grape

Region & Terroir

• The wine comes from Friuli Colli Orientali, one of Italy’s most respected DOCs for white wine, located in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Its vineyards are generally situated at altitudes of 150–200 metres, offering good diurnal variation (warm days, cooler nights), which helps preserve acidity and aromatic freshness.
  
  
• The soil is typical of the area: “Ponca” soils, which are layers of marl and sandstone. These soils are well-draining, rich in minerals, lending wines a certain minerality and structural complexity.

Grape Variety

• The varietal is Friulano (formerly known as Tocai Friulano). This is a native white grape to Friuli, known for its elegance, subtle almond notes, herbal / thyme nuances, and its ability to reflect terroir. Friulano generally produces wines that are dry, fresh, with moderate body, leaning towards medium acidity. It is not overly aromatic in the way some international white varieties are (like Sauvignon Blanc or Gewürztraminer), but it shines in balance and finesse.

Winemaking & Ageing Process

• Harvesting: Grapes are hand-harvested. Manual picking helps ensure that only healthy bunches are brought in, reducing damage and undesirable oxidation.
• Fermentation: After a gentle or soft pressing, the must is fermented in stainless steel tanks. Steel allows for temperature control, helping preserve freshness and varietal character without imparting oak flavours.
• Lees contact: After fermentation, the wine remains on its fine lees for about six months. Lees ageing contributes creamy texture, subtle richness, some bakery / bread dough or doughy notes, and enhances mouthfeel.
• Bottle ageing: Before release, the wine has at least three months bottle ageing, allowing it to integrate aromas and settle, softening edges and stabilising.

Appearance, Aroma, Palate & Texture

Appearance

• The wine presents a brilliant straw yellow with subtle greenish hues. This indicates youth, freshness, and a clean winemaking style.

Aroma (Nose)

• On the nose, this Friulano offers a complex mix: delicate white peach, hints of hay (dry grasses or haylage), and herbal touches such as thyme. There is also a mineral undertone, influenced by its Ponca soils. These elements combine to form an aromatic profile that is more elegant than overt.

Palate & Texture

• The flavour profile is lively, with a satisfying, crisp acidity that balances weight. The fruit (white peach) carries through, supported by herbal tones. There is a distinct almond-flavoured finish, a signature note in many Friulano wines. The texture is clean, medium in body—not overbearing, but with enough substance to feel complete.
  
  
• Alcohol content is around 13.5-14% ABV, giving some warmth but not tipping into cloying territory.

Balance & Length

• The six months on lees and the bottle ageing help integrate acidity and aroma, creating a smoother mid-palate and a longer finish. The almond finish lingers pleasantly, with mineral and herbal echoes. This wine offers finesse rather than power.

Food Pairing and Serving Notes

La Viarte Friulano 2022 is a versatile white wine that shines alongside a wide range of dishes. Its crisp acidity and mineral freshness make it a natural partner for seafood such as prawns, scallops or grilled fish. 

The gentle peach and herbal notes also complement lighter white meats like chicken or turkey, particularly when cooked with fresh herbs or citrus. Those who enjoy Italian classics will find it pairs beautifully with simple pasta dishes, risotto with vegetables or shellfish, and even antipasti boards. Cheese lovers can enjoy it with softer styles such as robiola or fresh pecorino, which echo the wine’s creamy texture from lees ageing.

For best enjoyment, serve the wine chilled but not too cold, ideally around 8–10°C. This allows the delicate fruit and subtle almond finish to emerge fully. A standard white wine glass is more than adequate, and while decanting is not necessary, giving the wine a few minutes in the glass helps it open up.

Ageing Potential

Whilst the wine is made in a style that emphasises freshness and aromatic purity, it also has some potential to develop further complexity:

• With its lees contact and bottle ageing, this bottle is already rounded, but it could continue to develop gracefully for 2-4 years under good storage (cool, stable temperature, away from light).
• Over time, secondary notes may emerge: nuttier tones, more pronounced mineral or flint qualities, and perhaps more herbal nuance. However, the prime drinking window is likely now through the next couple of years, especially if you prefer vibrant fruit.

Why It’s Good — What Makes It Special

What sets La Viarte Friulano 2022 apart in its category: 

1. Authentic Terroir Expression – The Ponca soils, the Friuli Colli Orientali climate, altitude, and exposure combine to give a wine with clear minerality, freshness, and elegance.
2. Balanced Production Methods – Stainless steel fermentation preserves fruit purity; lees ageing adds complexity; bottle ageing smooths everything out. No overuse of oak or unnecessary manipulation.
3. Versatility – It pairs with many foods; it’s good as a daily white but has enough character for more formal dining.
4. Good Value – For a wine that is elegant, complex, and from a premium DOC in Italy, the price (about £19.95 for 75cl in the UK) is fair. You get more in terms of nuance than many simple table white wines.

Weaknesses / Caveats

Every wine has its limitations. For La Viarte Friulano 2022, here are a few:

• If you prefer intensely aromatic whites (like very floral or tropical ones), this wine may feel more understated. That's not a flaw, but a stylistic choice.
• It doesn’t have heavy oak influence. For lovers of buttery, oaky whites (e.g. some Chardonnay styles), this is not what you’ll get.
• The alcohol, while moderate, is close to 14%; in very warm weather or outdoors it may feel a bit warm. Chilling well is therefore important.

Overall Verdict

La Viarte Friulano 2022 is a standout example of what Friuli Colli Orientali and the Friulano grape can achieve. Elegant, balanced, mineral and herbal, with enough body to satisfy, yet freshness to delight. For those who enjoy whites that are refined and food-friendly, this is a wine well worth trying now and over the next few years. It’s not a blockbuster, but in its class, it delivers superb finesse.

I would give it 4.5 out of 5 stars (or equivalent) — excellent in its style.

Ideal Buyer & Occasions

• Perfect for dinners featuring seafood or poultry, especially in spring and summer.
• Great for wine-lovers who appreciate European whites with terroir, rather than big New World fruit bombs.
• Also suitable as a gift for someone who enjoys discovering regional Italian whites.
• A smart choice for restaurants or wine bars seeking a white that can appeal both to novices (because of its approachable peach and herbal notes) and to more experienced palates (because of its minerality, finish, ageing potential).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Friulano the same as Tocai Friulano?
   Actually, “Tocai Friulano” was the older name, but due to trademark / appellation issues, it is now officially called Friulano. The grape is the same.
2. Is this wine oaked?
   No, not in the conventional oak barrel sense. It is fermented in stainless steel, then aged on lees—no heavy oak treatment. So you get lees-derived texture, not oak-derived flavours.
3. Can I cellar this wine?
   Yes – for maybe up to 2-4 years if stored in good conditions. But it’s arguably at its peak now to enjoy its freshness and aromatic profile.
4. How should I store it once opened?
   Re-cork with a tight stopper, refrigerate, and drink within 2-3 days to keep vibrancy.