DOC area for red and white wines on the border between the Italian regions of Friuli-Venezia Giulia and Veneto. The area was created in 1968 by merging the previously independent DOC areas of Cabernet di Pramaggiore, Merlot di Pramaggiore and Tocai di Lison. The DOCG area of Lison is identical in terms of area. It stretches from the Adriatic coast in the south between the Tagliamento and Livenza rivers to the Friuli-Venezia Giulia region in the north. Viticulture here dates back to Roman times and was rationalised by the Benedictine order in the 10th century. The temperate climate is characterised by cool, dry north winds (Bora) and hot, humid south-east winds (Scirocco).
In Veneto, the zone includes the municipalities of Annone Veneto, Cinto Caomaggiore, Gruaro, Fossalta di Portogruaro, Pramaggiore and Teglio Veneto, parts of Caorle, Concordia Sagittaria, Portogruaro, San Michele al Tagliamento and Santo Stino di Livenza in the province of Venezia, as well as Meduna di Livenza and parts of Motta di Livenza in the province of Treviso. In Friuli Venezia Giulia, these are the municipalities of Chions, Cordovado and Pravisdomini, as well as parts of Azzano Decimo, Morsano al Tagliamento and Sesto al Reghena in the province of Pordenone. For the Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Grigio wines, only the Pordenone area applies.
The single-varietal wines consist of at least 85% of the respective variety with a maximum of 15% of other authorised varieties. The white wines are Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio (Pinot Gris), Sauvignon (Sauvignon Blanc) and Verduzzo (Verduzzo Friulano). The red wines are Cabernet (CF and/or CS and/or Carmenère), Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, Malbech (Cot), Merlot and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso. A passito is made from Verduzzo and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso.
The Bianco is made from Tai = Sauvignonasse (50-70%) and other authorised varieties (max. 50%). The Rosso (also known as Novello) is made from Merlot (50-70%) and other authorised red varieties (max. 50%). The Spumante is produced from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco and/or Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir). A Riserva with a minimum ageing period of 24 months is available from Rosso and Merlot (12.5% vol.) and Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso (13% vol.).
