Umbria
Umbria is a landlocked region in central Italy that has a long history of viticulture and produces wines noted for their diversity of style and reliance on both indigenous and international grape varieties. Although less internationally recognised than neighbouring Tuscany, Umbria has gained prominence for distinctive wines such as Montefalco Sagrantino and Orvieto.[1]
Background
Viticulture in Umbria dates back to the Etruscans and Romans, with wine playing a role in trade and daily life.[2] During the Middle Ages, religious institutions preserved winemaking traditions, and in modern times the region has undergone significant improvements in quality, driven by both local producers and outside investment.[3]
Characteristics
The region is characterised by rolling hills, calcareous and clay-rich soils, and a continental climate with hot summers and cold winters, moderated in some areas by the presence of Lake Trasimeno.[4] Indigenous grape varieties remain central to Umbrian viticulture. Sagrantino is considered the most emblematic red grape, producing deeply coloured, tannic wines. White wines are often based on Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino, though international grapes such as Merlot and Chardonnay are also cultivated.
Use in winemaking
Umbria is home to two Denominazioni di Origine Controllata e Garantita (DOCG): Montefalco Sagrantino, which highlights the power and longevity of the Sagrantino grape, and Torgiano Rosso Riserva, recognised for structured Sangiovese-based reds.[5] The Orvieto DOC is the most widely known for white wines, traditionally off-dry but increasingly dry in style. Other appellations include Montefalco Rosso (DOC), Colli del Trasimeno (DOC), and Colli Martani (DOC). Modern Umbrian winemaking balances traditional practices with contemporary techniques, producing wines that range from robust reds to fresh, mineral-driven whites.[6]
See also
References
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 978-0198705383.
- ↑ Pampanini, Umbria del vino: Storia e cultura enologica, Volumnia Editrice, 2008, ISBN 978-8889201385.
- ↑ Stevenson, The Sotheby’s Wine Encyclopedia, 5th ed., DK, 2011, ISBN 978-0756686840.
- ↑ Johnson & Robinson, The World Atlas of Wine, 8th ed., Mitchell Beazley, 2019, ISBN 978-1784724030.
- ↑ Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco, “Vini dell’Umbria”, consorziomontefalco.it.
- ↑ Robinson (ed.), The Oxford Companion to Wine, Oxford University Press, 2015, ISBN 978-0198705383.