Colli Orientali del Friuli means “eastern hills of Friuli,” which describes this area’s location in the FRIULI-VENEZIA GIULIA region in northeastern Italy. It’s east of Udine and northwest of the COLLIO DOC; part of the zone borders Slovenia. The wines are generally well regarded and considered right behind those of the Collio DOC in quality. The DOC covers twenty types of wines, seventeen of which are VARIETALS. RAMANDOLO, a subzone known for sweet DESSERT WINES made from the VERDUZZO grape, was given DOCG status in 2001. There are two other subzones—Cialla and Rosazzo. Another of this area’s unusual (as well as prized and expensive) dessert wines is made from the PICOLIT varietal. The other varietal wines are Cabernet (from Cabernet Sauvignon and Cabernet Franc), CABERNET SAUVIGNON, CABERNET FRANC, CHARDONNAY, MALVASIA, MERLOT, Pinot Bianco (PINOT BLANC), Pignolo, Pinot Grigio (PINOT GRIS), Pinot Nero (PINOT NOIR), Refosco dal Peducolo Rosso (REFOSCO), RIBOLLA, Riesling Renano (RIESLING), Sauvignon (SAUVIGNON BLANC), SCHIOPPETTINO, TOCAI, Traminer Aromatico (GEWÜRZTRAMINER), and Verduzzo Friulano. All the varietal wines are required to use a minimum of 90 percent of the named varietal. This DOC also produces a ROSATO, which must be made with 90 percent Merlot.