Friuli-Venezia Giulia is perhaps [Italy's](/country/italy) most exciting white wine region. Its gently rolling hills and complex geology provide the perfect conditions for fresh, mineral driven wines. The key varieties are are the enticing [Ribolla Gialla](/ribolla-gialla), the seductively smoky Tocai Friulano, and [Malvasia Istriana](/malvasia-istriana). Sweet wines made from [Verduzzo](/verduzzo) and [Picolit](/picolit) are amongst the best [Italy](/country/italy) has to offer and compete with any passito style wine from elsewhere. Red wines are also pretty interesting here. The region's wealth of local varieties is a key feature. The most important are from the Refosco group, [Pignolo](/pignolo) and, as the name suggests, the razor sharp Tazzelenghe. There are even a handful of producers making special wines with completely obscure grapes such as Fumat and Curvin. The most comprehensive appellation for demonstrating the region's white grape diversity is [Collio DOC](/appellation/collio-doc), or Collio Goriziano as it's sometimes referred to. Here, on the hillsides that border [Slovenia](/country/slovenia), the production zone allows for sixteen different mono-varietal wines to made, the only stipulation being that they must count for at least 85% of the blend. In [Carso](/appellation/carso-doc), another small delimited area close to the [Slovenian](/country/slovenia) border a few more red varieties are permitted. There are plantings of Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso and [Terrano](/terrano). [Cabernet Franc](/cabernet-franc) and [Cabernet Sauvignon](/cabernet-sauvignon) play a big role in the region, as well as [Merlot](/merlot) and [Pinot Nero](/pinot-nero).