Umbria - Wines from the heart of Italy, from Grechetto to Sagrantino

Umbria, a small region that has always been identified as the green heart of Italy, is characterized by a wine production that is limited in quantity but of excellent quality . Here the ancient peasant traditions are still alive, giving life to wines with a strong connection with the centuries-old tradition and the territory. Numerous archaeological finds testify to how the Etruscans and Umbrians were already engaged in viticulture , even before the arrival of the Romans. This long winemaking history is closely linked to the climatic and geographical characteristics of the region, which with its hills represents an ideal territory for the cultivation of vines .

Both white and black grape varieties are grown in Umbria. Grechetto , an indigenous Umbrian vine, is the most important of the white grape varieties. Other white grapes are Malvasia Bianca, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdello, Canaiolo Bianco and Procanico. Among those with black grapes, Sagrantino , despite its presence being limited to Montefalco, produces the most representative red wines of all of Umbria. These are often wines with great structure, powerful, with an important tannic texture and good aromatic complexity . Other black grape varieties present in Umbria are Sangiovese , Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo Nero, Montepulciano, Barbera and Gamay, produced in the Lake Trasimeno area. International grape varieties such as Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Pinot Blanc and Riesling as well as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir and Cabernet Franc are also grown in the region.

Among the most important denominations we remember the two DOCGs, Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG and Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG (the first based on Sangiovese min 70%, the second based on the native Sagrantino vine) both in the Perugia area, testifying to the quality level achieved by the region; with its related DOCs, Torgiano and Montefalco. Also worth mentioning are Todi DOC and Colli Martani DOC, characterized by the white Grechetto grape. The area of Lake Trasimeno with the Colli del Trasimeno DOC, and the area of Orvieto, where the Rosso Orvietano DOC wine is present, but known above all for the Muffati Orvietani wines, based on both late white grapes (Grechetto, Malvasia) and early (Sauvignon, Chardonnay).