Provinces: Perugia, Terni
Umbria’s wine of enduring fame is Orvieto, from
the hill town where Etruscans mastered winemaking techniques
centuries before its golden nectars inspired medieval
popes and Renaissance painters at work in the majestic
cathedral.
Orvieto, originally softly sweet or abboccato,
is today most often dry and fruity and still the most
popular wine in a region noted historically for whites.
Yet recent achievements by Umbrian winemakers have come
primarily with reds. D.O.C.G. was awarded first to Torgiano
for its aristocratic Rosso Riserva renowned for its uncommon
longevity, and then to Montefalco Sagrantino, one of
Italy’s most potent and persuasive reds in both
the dry and sweet passito versions.
The “green
heart of Italy,” as this lovely landlocked region
is known, has shown potential for a wide range of vines.
Besides the native Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano and
Malvasia, there are the ancient but newly esteemed Grechetto
and a full array of international varieties, most notably
Chardonnay, Cabernet and Merlot.
Useful contacts:
Centro Agroalimentare dell'Umbria - Via N. Sauro, 4 -
06034 Foligno (PG) - Tel.: 0039 0742 344 214 Fax: 0039
0742 341 001 http://www.umbriadoc.com
Movimento del Turismo del Vino - Strada Olmo Valle -
Perugia - Tel.: 0039 075 517 0911 - http://www.wineday.org |
