From classic pairings to contemporary cuisine, Friulano is once again showing gastronomic versatility that extends far beyond regional tradition
September 17, 2026 (Mansuè, Italy) — For many years, Friulano was associated with a very specific idea of dining: prosciutto crudo, fresh cheeses and traditional local appetizers. These are natural pairings, built around the wine’s ability to complement savoury flavours and its strong regional identity. Yet limiting Friulano to this interpretation means recognising only part of the potential of one of Friuli-Venezia Giulia’s most representative white grape varieties.
Indeed, Friulano possesses a particularly compelling quality from a gastronomic perspective: it does not need to be paired with simple dishes to express itself fully. Its identity stems from the balance between freshness, softness, and an aromatic profile that can range from floral and herbaceous notes to riper, more structured nuances. On the palate, its characteristically delicate almond finish makes it both distinctive and persistent.
It is precisely this balance that makes Friulano so appealing in contemporary cuisine, where pairings no longer necessarily follow the principle of “regional wine with regional food”. Friulano can accompany raw fish and shellfish, as well as pasta and rice dishes featuring vegetables and aromatic herbs, white meats, grilled preparations, and international cuisines characterized by acidity, spices, and umami flavors.
Its freshness performs a specific role, cutting through richness while complementing dishes with pronounced flavour intensity. Its softness, meanwhile, ensures that the wine does not appear too delicate alongside more structured preparations. This balance becomes particularly interesting with plant-based ingredients, as the wine’s aromatic character can interact with herbs and vegetables without creating excessive contrasts.
Serving temperature can also change how Friulano is perceived at the table. When served cooler, its citrus notes, tension and vibrant drinkability come to the fore; allowing the temperature to rise by a few degrees reveals more of its structure and complexity. It may seem like a minor difference, yet it can transform the wine from a simple accompaniment into a genuine gastronomic element.
For Tenute Tomasella, this versatility offers a tangible way to bring native grape varieties back to the heart of the contemporary wine conversation—not through an artificial reinterpretation, but by starting with the variety’s intrinsic characteristics and placing them in dialogue with a cuisine that, in recent years, has embraced a broader range of ingredients, techniques and influences.
Tenute Tomasella’s Friulano Friuli DOC embodies this vision through a profile that combines varietal identity with a natural affinity for food, complementing both traditional pairings and more contemporary dishes.
In this sense, Tenute Tomasella’s Friulano Friuli DOC does not need reinvention. It simply needs to be viewed from a different perspective: not only as an expression of its place of origin, but also as a wine that can engage with the present. Its strength lies precisely in its ability to find a place at very different tables without ever losing its identity.
ABOUT TENUTE TOMASELLA
Tenute Tomasella is a family-owned winery located between Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto, in a borderland distinguished by diverse soils, microclimates, and winemaking cultures. The estate enhances the value of the area’s grape varieties through an approach that combines meticulous vineyard management, oenological research and a deep awareness of environmental balance, producing wines that interpret the many different expressions of its viticultural landscape.
