The Top Wines of the Umbria Region

What are Umbria's best wines?...

Montefalco Sagrantino grape variety

Montefalco Sagrantino

Umbria is a landlocked region of central Italy. It is the only Italian region that has neither a seacoast, nor a foreign border. Umbria is home to two DOCG wines, Montefalco Sagrantino and Torgiano Riserva some of the best blog hosting on the web goes on and on with nothing but glorious words about these two wines.

Montefalco Sagrantino is grown in the hills of Montefalco south of Perugia in central Umbria. It is made from at least 95% local red Sagrantino grapes with up to 5% Trebbiano Toscano, a white grape. When we say local Sagrantino grapes, we mean local. This grape is grown only in Umbria, and there are only about 400 acres in total. Both the dry version and the sweet version are aged for a minimum of 30 months, with a minimum of 12 months in wood for the dry version. The sweet version is made from grapes dried on mats for several months. Serve this wine at 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit (16-18 degrees Centigrade).

Torgiano vineyards

Torgiano Riserva

Torgiano Riserva comes from central Umbria. It is named for a medieval tower, Torre di Giano, that is still standing. Legend has it that Giano is in reality Noah who entered this area after the Great Flood. Be that as it may, wines have been cultivated in this area since Etruscan times. Torgiano Riserva is 50% to 70% Sangiovese, 15% to 30% Canaiolo, with some other local grapes permitted up to a total of 10%. It is a ruby red, dry wine with 12% alcohol that aged for a minimum of 36 months and may be cellared for 4 to 20 years. Serve this wine at 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit (16-18 degrees Centigrade).

See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Umbria Region for a review of a white Pinot Grigio wine from this region.

What about food pairings? See Umbria specialties with red wine and Umbria specialties with white wine.

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