Umbria Red Wine

From Torgiano wine to Sagrantino di Montefalco, Umbria Red Wine

The vineyards and the olive groves are the undisputed protagonists of the enchanting Umbrian landscapes. The red and white wine has been produced in Umbria since Roman era, just think that Plinio il Vecchio and Marziale already wrote about the goodness of local products at that time. Grechetto, a native white grape variety, has known popularity and appreciation for centuries, while red wine represents a more recent discovery, thanks to the red Torgiano and to the “explosion” of Sagrantino di Montefalco.

 

Wine in Umbria

Before talking about red wine, let’s share some data regarding the geographical production area. Umbria is the only Italian peninsular region not to be bathed by the sea, it has a territory characterized by hills for 70% of its extension and in this area there are 17 thousand hectares of vines, for a production of about a million hectoliters of wine.

 

The Torgiano Rosso Riserva

To this label we owe the first DOC and then DOCG recognition for an Umbrian wine. Torgiano Rosso Riserva has a base of at least 70% Sangiovese grapes, together with other non-aromatic black grape varieties, such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo and Colorino.
A delicious wine, which is served only after three years of aging, of which six months in the bottle. Also for this reason its bouquet is fruity and delicate, with floral aroma, while its bright ruby ​​red color anticipates an excellent structure.

The production area is that of the municipality of Torgiano, in the province of Perugia and one of the most famous producers of this wine is certainly the Lungarotti family, with a winemaking tradition started by the Giorgio and continued today by his daughters and wife. Their 2015 Rubesco (Torgiano Rosso Riserva Docg) won in 2020 the award as the second best wine in Italy in the "Top 100" ranking of Italian Gentleman reds, obtained from the comparison of the six most authoritative Italian wine guides (Gambero Rosso, Vitae, Bibenda, Veronelli, Cernilli and Maroni).

 

The Sagrantino of Montefalco

The advent of Sagrantino di Montefalco took place in the last two or three decades, thanks to the conquest of the DOCG recognition, due to a strict disciplinary, which establishes the production in purity, only with grapes of the Sagrantino vine.
The designated area is bounded by a hilly portion between the municipality of Montefalco and part of the territory of the municipalities of Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Castel Ritaldi and Giano dell’Umbria.

Sagrantino di Montefalco is produced in two versions, dry and passito, with an aging of 33 months, of which at least twelve in oak barrels (for the first).
After aging in barrels, it shows an intense ruby ​​color, with violet reflections, a seductive scent reminding to blackberries, linked to vanilla, a note brought from the barrel. Its flavor is dry, soft.
Some of the historic cellars for Sagrantino are: Antonelli, Paolo Bea (with the "Cerrete" bottle), in the lead in this area for the production of natural wines, and Arnaldo Caprai.

Get ready for a journey on the wine route, starting directly from your apartment in Borgo Giorgione, prepare to discover the wine tradition, from Lake Trasimeno to the regional south. A glass of red wine is essential if you wish to understand Umbria in all its nuances, especially if accompanied by a soup, a second course of meat or a first course with truffles. Red wine in Umbria describes the natural straightforwardness of the population, strength, resourcefulness, passion for life and the ability to follow Nature and the seasons.
Book now your stay at Borgo Giorgione and immediately request to participate in a "wine experience", during your holidays you will visit a winery!