Bordered by Austria to the north and Slovenia to the east, Friuli-Venezia-Giulia is Italy's north-easternmost region. Its predominantly white wines are clean, crisp and fresh, with plenty of varietal character. The best vineyards lie on the two hillside DOCs of Collio and Colli Orientali, where the soils are calcareous marl. The wines of Collio are characterised by their delicacy and bouquet, whereas those of Colli Orientali offer more body and length. The alluvial plain is divided into five DOCs, including Isonzo, the best wines from which rival those from the hillsides. Just over a generation ago, the wines from this area were dull and alcoholic, but the introduction of earlier picking, gentler pressing, temperature control and technology to protect the wines from oxygen, has resulted in commercially successful, distinctive wines made from a host of indigenous and international grape varieties.