Friuli-Venezia Giuli is a mountainous area tucked away in the northeast corner Italy, bordering on Austria and Slovenia. Like most regions of Italy, it has belonged to many nations over the years. Unlike most regions of Italy, it retains these Austrian, and Slavic influences. You'll enjoy this region's multicultural foods.

Prosciutto di San Daniele is one of Italy's most famous hams. It takes over a year before this Prosciutto is ready to eat. Some people cook with this ham, others prefer it alone or with melon. Enjoy the raw ham with an Italian Pinot Grigio, preferably from Fruili. The specific wine pairing depends on the selected dish, but don't stint on the wine to accompany this fine ham.

Friuli loves its risotto in many forms. One special version includes pine needles. Pair it with an Italian Chardonnay. If you're not quite so adventurous, go for a Risotto di Marano (Risotto Marano style) made with shrimp, squid, and mussels. The suggested wine pairing is an Italian Pino Grigio. Another choice, there are so many, is Risotto di Scampi (Scampi Risotto) that calls for an Italian Pino Grigio or a Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC or the more highly regarded Verdicchio di Matelica DOC, both from The Marches.

For a simple but satisfying meal, try Frittata alle Erbe (Herb Omelet). Make it with lots of veggies such as spinach, leeks, onions, and Swiss Chard. The recommended wine pairing is that well-known Italian bubbly, Prosecco DOC. Another choice is the Pinot Grigio that accompanied your Prosciutto di San Daniele. I personally would eat the ham raw and then the omelet instead of incorporating it into the omelet.

Jota, also called jote, is a local specialty. It's a bean and pork stew that includes sauerkraut and many other ingredients such as sausage and Italian bacon. Finding a wine pairing for this dish is somewhat difficult because of the sauerkraut. I would go with an Italian Riesling or Gewurztraminer. If you cooked this dish without the sauerkraut, suggested wines would be a Barbaresco DOCG from Piedmont or an Aglianico del Vulture DOC from Basilicata. But then it wouldn't be a Jota.

End your meal with Gubana (Pastry and Candy Roll) made with the sweet wine Marsala, the Italian brandy Grappa, nuts, raisins, and other dried fruits. The best wine pairing may be the local Colli Orientali del Friuli Picolit DOCG, but you'll have to find it. Other choices include Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG from The Marches and the local Ramandolo DOCG.