Wines of Umbria

Whenever friends come for dinner and ask what should they bring, I always respond “a red Umbrian.” Sometimes I even get specific and tell them where to find my favorite Cantina Lungarotti’s Rubesco. A wonderfully delicious and well-priced DOC whose patented recipe is made up of 70% Sangiovese and 30% Canajolo grape. It is a dark garnet to ruby red with fruity and spicy aroma. A great wine that goes from antipasto to secondo with ease. It never disappoints and I’m always happy if you bring a bottle or two.

— Michael LaPlaca

Long known as the ‘green heart of Italy,’ Umbria’s climate and landscape produce a wide range of varieties – both red and white.
The highest quality wines are known as DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) and meet the strictest standards of regulation. The region’s two DOCG wines, Montefalco Sagrantino and Torgiano Rosso Riserva, are both produced within 15 minutes from Bettona.

Wines with the DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) label are produced with slightly less stringent controls but still must originate from specific locations, use approved methods, and ingredients.  DOC wines are Assisi, Colli Altotiberini, Colli Amerini, Colli del Trasimeno, Colli Martani, Colli Perugini, Lago di Corbara, Montefalco, Orvieto, Rosso Orvietano, and Torgiano.

Wines bearing the classification IGT (Indicazione Geografica Tipica) use grapes from a larger growing area.  IGT wine includes Alleraona, Bettona, Cannara, Narni, Spello, Umbria.

LA STRADE DEL SAGRANTINO
The deep purple Sagrantino grapes have been cultivated in this region for centuries and have made the wines of Umbria world-renowned.  Sagrantino production takes place only within the province of Perugia’s communes of Montefalco, Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Castel Ritaldiand Giano dell’Umbria. La Strada del Sagrantino (The Street of the Sagrantino) is comprised of hundreds of small vineyards that offer wine tastings and direct sales to visitors.

— Michael LaPlaca