HELLO ITALY

DOC Wines

In the northern area of Umbria, from Città di Castello to Gubbio, from Umbertide as far as Perugia, we find the red, white and rosé wines of the DOC Colli Altotiberini. Traditional wines that do not differ substantially from those of the DOC dei Colli del Trasimeno.

The whites are based on Trebbiano with Malvasia from Chianti, Verdicchio and Grechetto, whilst for the reds Sangiovese is blended with Ciliegiolo, Merlot, Gamay, Barbera, Montepulciano and other white grapes.

As far as the DOC "Assisi" is concerned too, we find products created using Sangiovese and other black grapes, with the addition of a small quantity of Merlot. In the DOC "Lago di Corbara" the vines used are decidedly innovative: Cabernet sauvignon, Merlot and Pinot nero.

These grapes are made into wine in their unblended state or in combination with Sangiovese to obtain the more classic Rosso. In the DOC "Assisi" we should not forget two white wines: Grechetto, unblended, and the Bianco (Grechetto and Trebbiano). As we gradually approach the "Heart of Umbria", the red wines become more structured.

Along the Tiber valley we reach Todi and the Doc Colli Martani. In the specifications we find Trebbiano, Sangiovese and above all, Grechetto, which, unblended, represents the authentic oenological jewel of this district. Like the Colli Martani, the Colli Amerini also boast a special wine: Malvasia.

Further south, on a high tuff cliff, stands Orvieto. The Cathedral is visible from kilometres away. Among Umbrian wines Orvieto is the most representative; not only because it accounts for about 70% of the entire DOC production in the region, but also because, whilst not wishing to detract from the other wines, it has such a large production base that it may be considered to be a real economic resource for a large part of the region. Orvieto is made from Trebbiano grapes (50-65%), Verdello (15-25%) and Drupeggio, Grechetto, Malvasia (20-30%) and in addition to the two distinctions Orvieto and Orvieto Classico, it is produced in three versions, dry, semi-sweet and sweet.

Separate mention should be made of the sweet wine made from late harvests in which the grapes have been attacked by the "muffa nobile" (noble mould).

DOC Rosso Orvietano or Orvietano Rosso is very recent. In addition to these appellations we should mention: Bianco di Torgiano, Rosso and Rosato di Torgiano, Chardonnay di Torgiano, Pinot nero and pinot grigio di Torgiano, Riesling italico di Torgiano, Cabernet Sauvignon di Torgiano and Torgiano spumante, produced with the classic method in the bottle.

For the territory of Montefalco: Montefalco Bianco and Montefalco Rosso: the former with Grechetto and Trebbiano, the latter, based on Sangiovese, with a small addition of Sagrantino (15%). The "Riserva" version of the Rosso is interesting.