The name Friuli reminds a wine lover of bright, fresh, Alpine fruit. The towering Alps create a natural border with Slovenia and Austria to the northeast; to the east, the Adriatic laps up on the shores of Trieste, the region’s capital. This ideal combination of cool mountain air and warm sea breezes allows grapes to ripen gradually and evenly, and is what makes white wines from this province so special. Most of the better vineyards are grown up on the pre-Alpine foothills near the Slovenian border, where the soils are rich with limestone. In this area you’ll find plenty of white grapes, many of which show the influence of neighboring Austria to the north: Riesling, Gewürztraminer, and Pinot Grigio are all popular. Friuli’s Pinot Grigios are some of the better Italian whites today: round, nutty, with plenty of mineral spark. Friuli winemakers often ferment their juice in stainless steel, to preserve every bit of fresh, Alpine fruit in the wine. These are wines to enjoy young and with regional cuisine, also inspired by Friuli’s neighbors. A blushing pile of prosciutto di San Daniele with a chilled, beading glass of Pinot Grigio is as close to a Friulian paradise one can come.