Welcome to The Grape-down! Each edition features my quick breakdown of a grape that more people should know about. Today, Tocai Friulano…
Tocai Friulano Basics
Why care about Tocai Friulano?
This is the flagship white grape of arguably Italy's finest region for whites, and produces a wide range of delicious wines.
Pronunciation
Tohk-eye Free-oo-la-no
Key region
Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy
Producers I like
Livio Felluga • Ronchi di Cialla • Vie de Romans
Findability in the US
Relatively easy. Many specialty stores do carry Friulano, though sourcing specific bottles can be difficult.
History
Origin
Most likely comes from the Auvergne region of France, where it is known as Sauvignonasse, among other names. Brought to Italy in the late 18 or early 1900s.
Known parent of
Chenin Blanc
Mentioned as early as
1840s (France), 1930s (Italy)
Synonyms
Tocai, Sauvignonasse
Etymology
Tocai: to piggyback on the fame of Hungary's Tokay
Friulano: I’ll let y’all figure this one out
Sauvignonasse: literally, Sauvignon-like
Name Confusion
In Chile, it is known as Sauvignon Vert, which is a misnomer. (“Sauvignon Vert” refers to a different grape in France.)
Fun fact
The grape is technically still called Tocai Friulano in the Italian national registry, but the word "Tocai" is no longer allowed on EU wine labels because of its similarity to the famous Hungarian region. Thus it is more common to just see “Friulano.”
Wine Characteristics
Common styles
The traditional choice for a Friulian tajut (small glass of wine at the local bar), Friulano can be light and easy in this context, but recent years have also seen it made into rich, complex and age-worthy wines.
