Sagrantino accounts for only about 250 acres of Umbria’s vineyards, and it grows nowhere else in Italy, one reason why Sagrantino has become something of a cult wine. But the unique red grape of Umbria is Sagrantino, a deep, dark grape that makes tannic, spicy wines. Sangiovese is the dominant red grape, and it is used for blending. ) 91 points (Sportoletti Umbria Rosso Villa Fidelia) Opaque black red violet color big berry, black fruit, chocolate nose tight, dark chocolate, tart berry, black fruit palate with sweet tannins medium-plus finish 91+ pts.

With the rise of the Lungarotti winery and several others, however, distinctive red wines have also become part of the Umbrian wine portfolio. Orvieto blends often include the regional grapes Grechetto and Verdello, and may also include Trebbiano and Drupeggio. Until the last decade or two, the white wines of Orvieto were Umbria’s best-known wines. Umbria is now the sixth largest of Italy’s 20 regions in the quantity t of DOC wines produced.

Today there are two DOCGs and ten DOCs in Umbria, and 30% of the 41,000 vineyard acres are in classified appellations. Now produce five wines: Assisi Rosso, AssisiGrechetto, Villa Fidelia. In 1968 the area was awarded its first DOC appellation. From June 2010 there is one more reason to visit Umbria: Monte Vibianos eco-tours. A rich agricultural area famous for olive oil, grains and black truffles, commercial winemaking was not a priority until the mid-20th century, when Giorgio Lungarotti slowly turned his family’s long-held estate from a general agricultural enterprise to commercial vineyards and a winery. Umbria is a relatively small region tucked up against the eastern edge of Tuscany and the Marche’s western border.

Villa fidelia rosso 2010