Zuc di Volpe is the single-vineyard Friulano from Volpe Pasini, the Pittaro family cellar at Togliano di Torreano in the Colli Orientali. The Zuc di Volpe hilltop vineyard sits at 220 metres on ponca marl.
Tip: Zuc di Volpe drinks well on release but lifts further at 4 to 6 years; lay down a bottle from each vintage if the cellar door has the library option.
Specogna's standard Friulano from the Rocca Bernarda hill in Corno di Rosazzo, the Colli Orientali commune that hosts the cellar of the same name.
Tip: Combine the Friulano with the cellar's Picolit DOCG half-bottle for a Colli Orientali full picture; the two varieties share the same family of soils.
Ciampagnis Vieris is the Friuli Isonzo Chardonnay from Vie di Romans, the Gianfranco Gallo cellar on the Isonzo river gravel terraces at Mariano del Friuli. Partially fermented and aged in French oak.
Tip: Pair Ciampagnis Vieris with the cellar's Dis Cumieris Friulano in a single flight; the back-to-back read shows Vie di Romans' Isonzo gravel signature across two varieties.
Picol is the entry-tier Friuli Isonzo Sauvignon from Lis Neris, the Pecorari family cellar on the Isonzo gravel terraces at San Lorenzo Isontino. Stainless-vinified, partial lees contact.
Tip: Lis Neris is also a strong stop for the Gris Pinot Grigio in the same flight; the cellar door pours both side-by-side as the house contrast.
The Friulano from Livio Felluga at Brazzano di Cormons, the cellar founded by Livio Felluga (older brother of Marco) and now run by the next generation across the Colli Orientali parcels at Rosazzo, Buttrio and Cividale.
Tip: Pair the Friulano with a half-bottle of Livio Felluga Picolit DOCG for an end-of-meal pairing; the cellar bottles both as flagship Colli Orientali expressions.
Galea is the Colli Orientali Friulano from I Clivi, the Zanusso family cellar at Gramogliano (Corno di Rosazzo) known for restored old-vine plots and organic farming.
Tip: I Clivi pours old-vine vintages from the cellar library; ask for a vertical of Galea to read the old-vine concentration year to year.
The Collio Pinot Bianco from Russiz Superiore, the higher-elevation Felluga family estate above Marco Felluga at Capriva del Friuli. Russiz Superiore has carried a regional Pinot Bianco reputation through the last two decades. Pear, mountain herbs, almond, mineral salt and a textured finish.
Tip: Russiz Superiore's Pinot Bianco runs quietly at this price band; pair with a Cormons trattoria's gnocchi-and-formadi-frant plate.