|
|
|
The itinerary takes in three
DOC wine
zones: Friuli Annia, Friuli
Aquileia and Friuli Latisana. The Friuli Annia DOC zone was
established in 1995. It enjoys a particularly mild climate and
offers scenic countryside views, thanks in part to the neighbouring
lagoon of Marano. Vines planted on this terrain can acquire
excellent aromas, especially white varieties. Wine has been made in
the Friuli
Aquileia DOC zone for many centuries, for grapes were grown here
in Roman times. The influence of the sea means the zone has a very
mild climate. The heart of the DOC is
Aquileia, a major historical and archaeological center. The
Friuli Latisana DOC zone extends along the southern part of the
province of
Udine in the municipality of Latisana and ten or so nearby
villages. The nearby sea cossets the vines with warm breezes while
the sand and clay soil is rich in minerals, lending flavour and
aroma to the zone’s sturdy Merlot and Cabernet Franc. Fragrant
Friuli Latisana whites include Tocai Friulano, Pinot Bianco and
Chardonnay. Typical dishes Bike Itineraries:
Itinerary: Palmanova - Cervignano - Aquileia - Marano Lagunare and Carlino - Palazzolo dello Stella - Latisana - Lignano PALMANOVA
Wineries: Festivals and events The complex comprises two separate fortifications, the Castello di Sopra and the Castello di Sotto (Upper and Lower Castles) and has always belonged to the Strassoldos. This family belonged to the class of free feudal lords, probably of Frankish or Lombard origin, and was one of the most ancient and important houses represented in the parliament of the Patria del Friuli. Their titles include Counts of the Roman Empire, Patricians of Venice, and Nobles of Hungary and Friuli. The scene of many clashes and long disputed for its strategic position, the castle of Strassoldo was often damaged and rebuilt over the centuries. Its current configuration dates from the eighteenth century, when the two buildings were restructured and converted into country residences. All that is left of the original constructions are part of the outer walls, called the girone, and of the inner walls, known as the gironutto, the two gates, two keeps and the Torre Ottoniana tower, which belongs to the Castello di Sopra. The complex is surrounded by a moat, in which flow the waters of the Taglio. The long-established park is delightful, as is the village chapel, dedicated to Santa Maria in Vineis and decorated with fourteenth-century frescoes. The monuments of Strassoldo have a wealth of interesting stories to tell. For example, the noble chapel opposite the entrance to Castello di Sopra was the setting for the wedding of Field Marshal Radetzky to Francesca Romana Strassoldo, great-aunt of the present owner. Over recent years, increasing interest in the privately owned historic heritage and the gen eral tendency to seek out new, exclusive areas of cultural and tourism-related significance has led to the opening of Castello di Strassoldo di Sopra, where the owners still live, for extraordinary events, such as conferences, business dinners, concerts, weddings and other occasions. Group visits (minimum twenty people) to the castle may also be booked. Visits to other privately owned castles in the region may be booked at the same telephone number (tel. +39 0431 93293 - fax +39 0431 93229, www.consorziocastelli.it - E-mail:: info@consorziocastelli.it) The two castles at Strassoldo are, with the nearby castle of Flambruzzo, part of the Castelli d’Acqua del Friuli (Water Castles of Friuli) circuit and regularly host events, including fairs: in spring, for “flowers, water and castles” and in autumn, for “fruit, water and castles”. A short distance from Cervignano is Aiello, with its museum of the rural civilization of imperial Friuli. There are regular antique fairs, exhibitions and country fairs while gourmet food products are available at the Casetta del Buongustaio, the outlet of the Jolanda De Coḷ company, which specializes in cheesecloth-wrapped goose liver and other goose-based delicacies (tel. +39 0432 997733). Wineries Festivals and events Lower Friuli - wine itinerary continue on part 2Courtesy of Movimento Turismo del Vino - Friuli Venezia Giulia
|
