WINE AND FOOD Umbria (in english) by Umbria OnLine

WINE AND FOOD - Umbrian Wines and Regional Wine Trails

Considered among Italy’s most prized exports, Umbrian wines and the region’s vine-growing industry thrive on a combination of favourable factors such as the soil and the mild but continental climate.

As a way of helping wine tourists find their way through the enormous variety of labels on offer, the regional administration has instituted no less than four Wine Trails, all of which are also a way of discovering the magnificent Umbrian scenery:

- The Vino dei Colli del Trasimeno Trail (Tuoro sul Trasimeno – Passignano sul Trasimeno – Magione – Corciano – Città della Pieve – Panicale – Piegaro – Castiglione del Lago – Umbertide – Perugia). The rolling hills and different climate pockets of this area enable producers to grow a broad variety of vines, from traditional varieties such as Sangiovese, Grechetto, Trebbiano, Canaiolo and Malvasia to new varieties like Cabernet, Pinot bianco, Pinot grigio, Merlot, Chardonnay, Riesling italico or Ciliegiolo. The Trail is divided into five stations, starting with the lands in which Hannibal defeated the Roman army around Tuoro and Passignano. The trail continues through the estates of the Knights of Malta around Magione and Corciano, then through the landscape used by Perugino for his paintings around Città della Pieve, Paciano, Panicale and Piegaro. The last two stations of the trail are located in what were once the domains of Ascanio della Corgna around Castiglione del Lago and through the great fortresses and abbeys around Umbertide and towards Perugia.

- The Vini del Cantico Trail (Todi – Marsciano – Perugia – Torgiano – Bettona – Cannara – Spello – Assisi – Bastia Umbra – Umbertide – Perugia). This wine trail, which traces ancient routes familiar to the Romans, includes the DOC denomination Colli Perugini wine producing area, specialised in Grechetto, Trebbiano and Sangiovese.

- The Vini del Sagrantino Trail (Gualdo Cattaneo – Bevagna – Montefalco – Giano dell’Umbria – Castel Ritaldi – Bettona – Cannara). Dubbed by some as the “green heart of Italy”, this area of Umbria is known for its lush vegetation and heritage-rich Medieval hamlets. Sagrantino is the best known DOC denomination wine from here, and the wine trail includes an assortment of publicly-managed consortiums and private wineries guaranteed to offer the wine tourist a unique experience.

- The Vini Etrusco Romana Trail (Orvieto – Amelia – Terni – Valnerina). This wine trail includes the DOC denomination wine producing area that runs between Orvieto and Amelia, offering attractions such as Orvieto Bianco DOC, Orvieto Classico, Orvieto Classico superiore, Orvieto, Orvieto Superiore, Rosso DOC, Orvietano and Lago di Corbara. The wines produced around Amelia include Amelia Bianco DOC, Colli Amerini, Malvasia, Rosso DOC, Rosso, Rosso superiore, Rosato and Novello.
Umbria also boasts two DOCG denomination wines, Torgiano rosso riserva and Sagrantino di Montefalco secco and passito. The region totals no less than eight DOC denomination wines: Orvieto, Montefalco, Torgiano, Colli Amerini, Colli Martani, Colli Altotiberini, Colli del Trasimeno and Colli Perugini.
All of excellent quality, Umbrian wines also offer fairly good value for money. The reds are best with meat or game, while the whites are more suited to pasta or fish dishes. The region’s rosés, sparkling whites or passito sweet wines are perfect for desserts.