The vine known as "Friulano", in the past was identified as "Tocai". However, a ruling by the European Court of Justice in 2005 required the renunciation of this denomination to prevent confusion with Tokaji, the Hungarian wine derived from the Furmint grape. Originally called "Sauvignonasse", Friulano is a French variety from the Bordeaux region, introduced to Italy in the nineteenth century.

The wine produced from this vine is appreciated for its robust body and harmonious structure. It is characterized by its delicate aromas of flowers and fruit, which fade into a slightly almond aftertaste. Today, Friulian is cultivated mainly in the Friuli Venezia Giulia region and, to a lesser extent, in some areas of Veneto.

The Friulian grape is emblematic of the Friuli Venezia Giulia region, one of the most renowned areas for the production of high-quality white wines in Italy. This vine finds an ideal habitat in Friuli thanks to the cool and ventilated climate and the well-drained soils of the region, which vary from calcareous to clayey, helping to give the wine unique and distinctive characteristics. In particular, it is cultivated in the areas of Collio, located on the border with Slovenia, of the Colli Orientali del Friuli, which extends over the eastern hills of Udine, with soils composed of marl and sandstone, and in the Isonzo, an area that benefits from rich alluvial deposits of minerals that enrich the terroir and the Grave del Friuli, characterized by vast deposits of gravel ("grave").

In addition to these main areas, small quantities of Friulano are also grown in some areas of the Veneto, adding diversity to the winemaking landscape of these regions.