What is made here
Wine colours
Colours the rules allow. Pick a colour to filter the rules and grapes below.
Where it is
Carso in Italy
- Latitude
- 45.6°–45.9° N
- Vineyard altitude
- 9 m to 270 m
- Production zone
- 31,495 ha
Lies within
Friuli, Prosecco, delle Venezie
Worked out from the boundaries (smallest container first). They follow whole communes, so a neighbour sharing a commune can show up here too.
Boundary drawn from whole communes, so it is a little larger than the legal zone. Boundary: Eurac Research PDO inventory (CC0). Country outlines: Natural Earth. Dots on the zone map are the vineyard points used for climate.
Showing every colour The colour filter changes the rules and grapes. Climate, vintages and soils describe the vineyards, so they stay the same.
01 · What the law says
The rules
Limits on grapes, yields, ripeness and ageing that every wine labelled Carso must meet.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Glera
- ≥ 85% Glera · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Malvasia (da Malvasia Istriana)
- ≥ 85% Malvasia Istriana · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Malvasia (da Malvasia Istriana) Riserva
- ≥ 85% Malvasia Istriana · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 20 months' ageing; release from 1 July of the second year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Pinot Grigio
- ≥ 85% Pinot Grigio · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Traminer
- ≥ 85% Traminer · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Sauvignon Blanc · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Sauvignon Riserva
- ≥ 85% Sauvignon Blanc · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 20 months' ageing; release from 1 July of the second year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Vitouska
- ≥ 85% Vitouska · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Vitouska Riserva
- ≥ 85% Vitouska · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 20 months' ageing; release from 1 July of the second year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Chardonnay
- ≥ 85% Chardonnay · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso Rosso/Carso-Kras/Carso-Kras Rosso
- ≥ 70% Terrano · Main grape
- ≤ 30% other red varieties suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso Rosso/Carso-Kras/Carso-Kras Rosso Riserva
- ≥ 70% Terrano · Main grape
- ≤ 30% other red varieties suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 24 months' ageing; release from 1 April of the third year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Merlot
- ≥ 85% Merlot · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Merlot Riserva
- ≥ 85% Merlot · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 24 months' ageing; release from 1 April of the third year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Terrano
- ≥ 85% Terrano · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Terrano Riserva
- ≥ 85% Terrano · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 24 months' ageing; release from 1 April of the third year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Cabernet Franc
- ≥ 85% Cabernet Franc · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Cabernet Sauvignon
- ≥ 85% Cabernet Sauvignon · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Terrano Classico
- ≥ 85% Terrano · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Terrano Classico Riserva
- ≥ 85% Terrano · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 24 months' ageing; release from 1 April of the third year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Refosco/Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso
- ≥ 85% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
; release from 1 March of the year after the harvest.
Blend rules
Carso/Carso-Kras Refosco/Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso Riserva
- ≥ 85% Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso · Main grape
- ≤ 15% other non-aromatic varieties of the same colour suitable for Trieste and Gorizia · Others allowed
At least 24 months' ageing; release from 1 April of the third year after the harvest.
Other varieties allowed
Besides the main grapes, the rules allow these varieties in some wines. Grape names link where a profile exists.
25 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Glera
Fleurtai, Friulano, Garganega, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Palava, Picolit, Pinot Blanc, Ribuele, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Kretos, Sauvignon Nepis, Sauvignon Rytos, Semillon, Soreli, Sylvaner, Verduzzo Friulano, Viognier, Vitouska, Welschriesling
25 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Malvasia (da Malvasia Istriana), Carso/Carso-Kras Malvasia (da Malvasia Istriana) Riserva
Fleurtai, Friulano, Garganega, Glera, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Palava, Picolit, Pinot Blanc, Ribuele, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Kretos, Sauvignon Nepis, Sauvignon Rytos, Semillon, Soreli, Sylvaner, Verduzzo Friulano, Viognier, Vitouska, Welschriesling
26 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Pinot Grigio, Carso/Carso-Kras Traminer, Carso/Carso-Kras Chardonnay
Fleurtai, Friulano, Garganega, Glera, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Palava, Picolit, Pinot Blanc, Ribuele, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Kretos, Sauvignon Nepis, Sauvignon Rytos, Semillon, Soreli, Sylvaner, Verduzzo Friulano, Viognier, Vitouska, Welschriesling
25 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Sauvignon, Carso/Carso-Kras Sauvignon Riserva
Fleurtai, Friulano, Garganega, Glera, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Palava, Picolit, Pinot Blanc, Ribuele, Riesling, Sauvignon Kretos, Sauvignon Nepis, Sauvignon Rytos, Semillon, Soreli, Sylvaner, Verduzzo Friulano, Viognier, Vitouska, Welschriesling
25 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Vitouska, Carso/Carso-Kras Vitouska Riserva
Fleurtai, Friulano, Garganega, Glera, Malvasia Bianca Lunga, Malvasia Istriana, Malvasia di Candia Aromatica, Manzoni Bianco, Moscato Giallo, Muller Thurgau, Palava, Picolit, Pinot Blanc, Ribuele, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Sauvignon Kretos, Sauvignon Nepis, Sauvignon Rytos, Semillon, Soreli, Sylvaner, Verduzzo Friulano, Viognier, Welschriesling
19 varieties · 6 wines
Cabernet Eidos, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Volos, Carmenere, Franconia, Gamay, Julius, Malbec, Merlot, Merlot Kanthus, Merlot Khorus, Petit Verdot, Piccola Nera, Pignolo, Pinot Noir, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino
19 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Merlot, Carso/Carso-Kras Merlot Riserva
Cabernet Eidos, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Volos, Carmenere, Franconia, Gamay, Julius, Malbec, Merlot Kanthus, Merlot Khorus, Petit Verdot, Piccola Nera, Pignolo, Pinot Noir, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Terrano
19 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Cabernet Franc
Cabernet Eidos, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Volos, Carmenere, Franconia, Gamay, Julius, Malbec, Merlot, Merlot Kanthus, Merlot Khorus, Petit Verdot, Piccola Nera, Pignolo, Pinot Noir, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Terrano
19 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Cabernet Sauvignon
Cabernet Eidos, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Volos, Carmenere, Franconia, Gamay, Julius, Malbec, Merlot, Merlot Kanthus, Merlot Khorus, Petit Verdot, Piccola Nera, Pignolo, Pinot Noir, Rebo, Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Schioppettino, Terrano
19 varieties · Carso/Carso-Kras Refosco/Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso, Carso/Carso-Kras Refosco/Refosco dal Peduncolo Rosso Riserva
Cabernet Eidos, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Volos, Carmenere, Franconia, Gamay, Julius, Malbec, Merlot, Merlot Kanthus, Merlot Khorus, Petit Verdot, Piccola Nera, Pignolo, Pinot Noir, Rebo, Schioppettino, Terrano
In the vineyard and cellar: rules for every wine
3,500
Vines per hectare, minimum
Training
Systems allowed
guyot; cordone speronato; capovolto; pergola triestina
No forcing
Forcing the vines is prohibited
Permitted
Irrigation
Cellar
Where the wine must be made
Within the production zone
Allowed
Enrichment (chaptalisation)
02 · Climate fingerprint
The climate
The growing season averages 17.8 °C, warm on Gregory Jones's scale, with 1,672 growing degree days (Winkler III).
The average year 1991–2020, vineyards at about 122 m
Monthly mean, °CRain, mmGrowing season
- Growing-season temperature
- 17.8 °C
- Warm · 17–19 °C (Jones)
- Growing degree days
- 1,672
- Region III: 1,667–1,943 degree days
- Growing-season rain
- 887 mm
- Of 1,502 mm a year
- Harvest rain
- 350 mm
- September–October
Copernicus ERA5-Land monthly averages at 5 vineyard points (Vineyard point 1, 133 m; Vineyard point 2, 20 m; Vineyard point 3, 79 m; Vineyard point 4, 168 m; Vineyard point 5, 210 m), moved to each point's height from the model's terrain. Indices that need daily data are not captured yet. How the climate figures are made.
Closest climates in the database
Picked by the data, not by hand: the profiles nearest on season warmth (counted twice), degree days, rain, ripening-month nights and day–night range. Neighbours within 30 km are left out, as they share the same weather.
1. ValdadigeVery similarCompared with Carso: same season warmth, similar rain.
2. Teroldego RotalianoVery similarCompared with Carso: same season warmth, similar rain.
3. RosazzoVery similarCompared with Carso: same season warmth, similar rain.
Growing-season temperature
Growing degree days
Growing-season rain
03 · Year by year
35 vintages
Each column is one growing season: heat above or below the 1991–2020 average, and rain at harvest. Pick a year for the details.
Warmer than averageCooler than averageHarvest rain (Sep–Oct)Average harvest rain, 350 mm
2025
- Growing-season temp.
- Growing degree days
- Harvest rain
- Growing-season rain
- September nights
- Hot days and frosts
Seasons are labelled by harvest year (April–October). Year-to-year changes from ERA5-Land; tested against station records in Alto Adige (r = 0.94 for season temperature at Bolzano). Rain varies more locally, so treat single-season rain with some caution. Vintage ratings, harvest dates and frost or hail events have places in the data model but are not loaded yet.
04 · Where the numbers come from
Sources
- A geospatial inventory of regulatory information for wine protected designations of origin in Europe · Candiago et al., Scientific Data 9, 394 (2022); Eurac Research · CC0
- Quality wines in Italy and France: a dataset of PDO specifications · figshare 25393261 · CC BY 4.0
- ERA5-Land monthly averaged data (reanalysis-era5-land-monthly-means) · Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S), Climate Data Store · CC BY 4.0 (Copernicus licence)
- OpenStreetMap vineyard areas (landuse=vineyard), from Geofabrik country extracts · OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL 1.0
- Copernicus DEM GLO-90 (AWS open data tiles) · European Space Agency / Copernicus · Copernicus DEM licence
- Disciplinare di produzione: Carso · Ministero dell'agricoltura, della sovranità alimentare e delle foreste (MASAF) · Official act
- Appellation nesting worked out from boundaries (pipeline/build_nesting.py) · Vinous, from the Eurac PDO boundaries · CC0 (source data)
- Climate profiles calculated by Vinous: method
Still to check (3)
- Generated from EU reference data: check against the current product specification.
- From the specification: Enrichment is not allowed for the riserva wines. Terrano and Terrano Classico vineyards must be on karst terra rossa. Riserva natural alcohol figures come from the separate riserva column of the yield table. Expanded training forms are excluded.
- National tier (DOC/DOCG) not captured yet; rules extracted from the specification text.