Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG
A true star in the already crowded constellation of top Italian wines. Produced within the municipality of Montefalco and part of the municipalities of Bevagna, Castel Ritaldi, Giano dell’Umbria and Gualdo Cattaneo, Sagrantino di Montefalco is a very intense, full-bodied and highly structured wine that is suitable for prolonged ageing and best appreciated after some 15-20 years, with almost extreme tannins. The production regulations specify exclusive use of the Sagrantino varietal and ageing of at least 37 months, with a minimum of 12 months in oak barrels. It exhibits an intense ruby red colour with aromas of spices, red fruit, leather and coffee on the nose. Food pairings range from braised meat to classic local cold cuts and matured cheeses, as well as game and pasta with Norcia truffle. The sweet (Passito) version, on the other hand, can be combined with chocolate and biscuit-like pastries, although some devotees suggest pairing it – especially during the Easter period – with a juicy leg of roast lamb.
Given its uniqueness and complexity, Sagrantino di Montefalco was underrated commercially for years due to the softer tastes required by the market. Since the beginning of the 1990s, however, thanks to the considerable efforts of a number of producers, a large-scale re-appraisal and promotion of Sagrantino has taken it to the highest echelons of Italian oenology. Most producers have joined together since 1981 in a consortium association, the “Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco”, with the aim of ensuring the continuous quest for quality and promoting not only this wine but also the region’s other products.
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG
Another Umbrian star, Torgiano Rosso Riserva, hails from the rolling hills of Torgiano south of Perugia. This wine expresses the highest potential of Sangiovese and Canaiolo in our region; this is a wine that has competed for years with the legendary names in Italian oenology. Equipped with great elegance and structure, it can evolve for many years, thus having great ageing potential and preserving the primary aromatic characteristics after bottling intact. Recommended pairings, given the great complexity of the wine, include furred and feathered game, but it can also be paired perfectly with pasta with truffles and or wild boar sauce.
The producers in this area, albeit numerically inferior, are also united in a consortium association, namely the “Consorzio Tutela Vini Torgiano”. Very active in the field of wine tourism, it organizes promotional events including the outstanding ‘Calici di Stelle’ held on August 14th each year, which offers participants the opportunity to taste all the area’s wines.