Umbria
Principal Varietals: (W) Chardonnay, (W) Grechetto, (W) Trebbiano/Procanico (aka Procanico), (R) Sagrantino
Umbria is a small landlocked region nestled north of Rome. It is agriculturally productive with an abundance of olives, fruits and vegetables, grains, and grapes. With beautiful hilly landscape, a wealth of medieval towns, and close proximity to Rome, Umbria has long been a getaway for Romans. Umbria's most famous wine, Orvieto, became famous when traveling popes, monarchy, and artists began drinking the white as an abboccato, or semisweet wine.
The Orvieto DOC surrounds the town of Orvieto and uses grape varietals such as Grecchetto, Trebbiano (called Procanico here), Chardonnay, and other local white varietals. Orvieto is one of the best known Italian white wines, but it can still be difficult to find quality Orvieto at decent prices. The DOC rules outlined for Orvieto leave a lot of room for winemakers to put their own personality into the wine. The classic Orvieto is crisp, cool, and lightly minerally, with a hint of sweetness. Orvieto producers are now experimenting with their blends and aging to create bigger, more aromatic wines with a focus on Grecchetto and Chardonnay and even some oak aging. When done well, this method produces a perfect marriage of a quintessential Italian white (crisp, acidic, light minerals) and the popular styles of today (fatter wines with a hint of oak). Red grapes, especially Sangiovese, thrive in Umbria as well. Lago di Corbara, Sagrantino di Montefalco, and super-Umbrians, made from all or mostly Sangiovese, are the key reds to look for.
Umbria is Italy's hidden truffle territory. They grow abundantly here, but it is hardly ever recognized as a prized truffle region. The town of Norcia lies in the Appenine Mountains on the border with Le Marches. Here, the black truffle is used in a wide variety of dishes. Umbria's white truffle is even more prized and should always be eaten fresh. With an abundance of game, agriculture, and wild 'fruits' of the forest there is always something new to put on your plate in Umbria.
