UMBRIA

Location

This is one of Italy's few landlocked regions with just two provinces, Perugia and Terni. Although it is a natural extension of Tuscany southwards, its heart is wild and mountainous with a truly medieval feeling.

Climate

Hot summers and very cold winters as the main influencer is the Appennini ridge of North – South mountains and thus altitude plays an important factor.

Topography

The Apennines are the major topographical feature in Umbria, making it very mountainous with many lakes and some important ones like Corbara (although this was a result of the damming of the Tiber in 20th Century).

Soils

Very mixed but to the area around Orvieto volcanic tuffaceous rock is prominent.

Production

Less than 100,000 HL

 
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Our producers

Barberani

Scacciadiavioli

Grapes

  • Description

    See Tuscany

    Principle Wines

    See Tuscany

  • Description

    See Piedmont

    Principle Wines

    See Piedmont

  • Description

    See International

    Principle Wines

    See International

  • Description

    See Tuscany

    Principle Wines

    See Tuscany

  • Description

    See Lazio

    Principle Wines

    See Lazio

  • Description

    See Tuscany

    Principle Wines

    See Tuscany

  • Description

    See Tuscany

    Principle Wines

    See Tuscany

  • Description

    See Piedmont

    Principle Wines

    See Piedmont

  • Description

    Aka Canaiolo Bianco, an ancient variety in Central Italy, similarly with Canaiolo Rosso but much less prevalent. Served traditionally as a blender with Trebbiano (often in the Governo form – dried grapes for concentration) now forming part of the Orvieto blend.

    Principle Wines

    Orvieto blend

  • Description

    See Veneto

    Principle Wines

    See Veneto

  • Description

    Greek origin, presumably a distant relative of Greco but little similarity nowadays. Traditionally a blender but now found varietally when it can produce fine textured fresh whites with steely acidity when made well.

    Principle Wines

    The superior grape in the Orvieto blend. Also varietal wines

  • Description

    See Tuscany

    Principle Wines

    See Tuscany

  • Description

    Non aromatic in the Muscat sense (unlike some of its cousins or other varieties that share the name) and has taken the role of a volume producer. This variety can be also found in the Veneto and Emilia Romagna. Malvaisa's routes are thought to be Greek after the name of the Peloponnesian port of Manemvasia. Since then the name has has been taken by many varieties that share little identity in terms of both colour and character.

    Principle Wines

    Orvieto Blend

  • Description

    See Abruzzo

    Principle Wines

    See Abruzzo

  • Description

    Aka Trebbiano Toscano

    Principle Wines

    Aka Trebbiano Toscano

  • Description

    Almost uniquely found in the environs of the villages of Bevagna and Montefalco (240 Ha) and usually blended with Sangiovese and has ancient (Roman?) origins. It is a difficult and low producing variety: thick-skinned, small berried, small bunched but big in tannin, colour, extract, acids and sugars. It is quite unique in character and resembles no other variety especially in its high tannin content.

    Principle Wines

    Montefalco Rosso Blend and Montefalco Sagrantino

  • Description

    See Tuscany

    Principle Wines

    See Tuscany

  • Description

    See Tuscany

    Principal Wines

    See Tuscany

  • Description

    According to some a relative of Verdicchio but Umbrians would probably disagree. Part of the Orvieto blend giving good levels of lemony acidity

    Principle Wines

    Orvieto Blend

  • Description

    See Tuscany/ Sardinia

    Principle Wines

    See Tuscany/ Sardinia

Major Appellations DOCG/DOC

  • Description

    The lake, created by the damming of the Tiber in the 20th Century has created a favourable (slightly milder) climate for the growing of red grapes (white grapes are left for the production of Orvieto).

    Principle Wines

    Rosso: Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot nero, Sangiovese, Aleatico, Barbera, Cabernet franc, Canaiolo, Cesanese, Ciliegiolo, Colorino, Dolcetto, Montepulciano Varietals: Cab Savignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero

  • Description

    Montefalco is a versatile grape growing area producing both red and white versions are made here in various styles from simple but mineral Grechettos (the quality Central Italian grape along with Verdicchio and Pecorino) to more complex oak aged versions. Sangioveses also give juicy voluptuous styles with Sagrantino making the production a little more serious.

    Principle Wines

    Rosso: Sangiovese, Sagrantino.

    Bianco: Grechetto, Trebbiano Toscano

  • Description

    Perhaps the world's most tannic grape? This is one of those quintessentially Italian vinous experiences difficult to reproduce in the rest of the world. It has intense colour, fruit and acidity and high levels of tannins which make take a long time to soften in bottle (if ever!). A dessert Sagrantino is also made and in some ways makes more sense as the residual sugars compensate tannins.

    Principle Wines

    Sagrantino and up to 5% Trebbiano Toscano

  • Description

    One of the most ancient winegrowing areas of Europe with roots back to pre Roman populations such as the Etruscans. Orvieto, through its famous occupants (the Popes) became a famous iconic Italian white wine in many different forms: dry, medium, semi sweet and sweet. Today, the vast majority is chugged out of the big cooperative giving wines of little character, however, some private estates make glorious complex whites with real character from the Tufa (volcanic origin) rocks.

    Principle Wines

    Drupeggio, Grechetto, Malvasia, Procanico, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdello.

Sub Appellations DOCG/DOC

  • Principle Wines

    Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero, Grechetto, Trebbiano Toscano

  • Principle Wines

    Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero, Grechetto, Trebbiano Toscano

  • Principle Wines

    Trebbiano toscano, Grechetto, Verdello, Garganega, Malvasia Toscana, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Ciliegiolo, Montepulciano

  • Principle Wines

    Trebbiano Toscano, Trebbiano Spoletino, Grechetto, Malvasia bianca di Candia, Garganega, Verdicchio, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Barbera, Ciliegiolo, Montepulciano.

  • Principle Wines

    Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Nero, Grechetto, Trebbiano Toscano, Pinot Grigio

  • Principle Wines

    Trebbiano, Vermentino, Grechetto, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Bianco ,Sauvignon Riesling Italico, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Cabernet, Gamay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese

  • Principle Wines

    Aleatico, Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Montepulciano, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese, Aleatico, Barbera, Cesanese, Colorino, Dolcetto.

  • Principle Wines

    Cabernet Sauvignon, Canaiolo, Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Riesling Italico, Sangiovese,Trebbiano

  • Principle Wines

    Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Trebbiano Toscano, Ciliegiolo, Montepulciano

  • Allerona
    Bettona
    Cannara
    Narni
    Spello
    Umbria