The Gorizia Hills (Italian: Collio Goriziano or Collio; Slovene: Goriška brda or Brda; Friulian: Cuei) is a hilly microregion in western Slovenia and northeastern Italy. It lies on the right bank of the Soča (Isonzo) River, north of the Italian town of Gorizia, after which it is named. The region covers around 120 km2 (46 sq mi) and has about 7,000 inhabitants, mostly ethnic Slovenes, with a small number of Friulian speakers in its westernmost part (in the municipality of Dolegna del Collio).
Today, the majority of the region is in Slovenia, with around 60% of the territory and 80% of the inhabitants. The Slovene part of the Gorizia Hills lies entirely in the Municipality of Brda. The Italian part lies within the boundaries of the province of Gorizia, and it is divided among the municipalities of San Floriano del Collio, Cormons, and Dolegna del Collio.
The region is predominately a white wine producer with Friulano, Ribolla Gialla, Malvasia Istriana, Chardonnay, Pinot bianco, Pinot grigio, and Sauvignon blanc being the leading varietals. Red wine is produced under the Collio Rosso designation and is usually a blend of Merlot, Cabernet Franc, and Cabernet Sauvignon.[1]
In Italy, the Gorizia Hills are designated Denominazione di origine controllata (DOC) and belong to the Italian wine region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The DOC is located in the province of Gorizia, near the border with Slovenia. Some Slovene wine from the region of Brda also carries the designation of Collio due to their vineyards overlapping across the Italian border.
- ^ M. Ewing-Mulligan & E. McCarthy Italian Wines for Dummies pg 132-140 Hungry Minds 2001 ISBN 0-7645-5355-0