Umbria

Since the time of the Etruscans, Umbria has had a great vocation for viticulture, thanks to the favorable climate, the valleys sheltered by mountain ranges and a well-distributed rainfall throughout the year. The production in 2009 was about 987,000 hl of wine, mainly white, starting from Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto, Malvasia Bianca Long, Verdello, as well as from some international ones, including chardonnay, with excellent results. Once linked only to the famous Orvieto, a DOC shared with Lazio, in recent years Umbria has achieved important successes with two recognized DOCG red wines, the Torgiano Rosso Riserva and the Sagrantino di Montefalco. The first is obtained above all from Sangiovese, the second from the native Sagrantino, which has its most emblematic characteristic in tannicity. Sagrantino di Montefalco is also produced in the Passito version, a dessert wine with great personality and with a great potential yet to be expressed. Other vines grown in this region, which are improving the average quality level, are Montepulciano, Ciliegiolo, Barbera, Merlot, Gamay and Alicante.