Umbria wine region

Last updated

Viticulture in Umbria is an old and cultural activity of the Italian region of Umbria, in the center of Italy, capital Perugia. [1] The region is mostly hilly (70%) and mountains (30%), it has no sea, this helps the climate to be good for growing grapes. [2] The climate has cold and wet winters, hot and dry summers, strong temperature changes between day and night and rain spread over the year, this helps grapes grow slowly and regularly. [1]

Contents

History

Viticulture in Umbria goes back to Etruscan and Roman times, there are old tools and wineries cut in volcanic rock, more than 3000 years old. [1] After a long period of decline after Roman Empire, modern viticulture started in 1950s and 1960s with quality getting better. [1] [2] In 1968 the first DOC of region Torgiano was recognized, later 1990 Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG and 1992 Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. [2]

Land and climate

The viticulture land in Umbria is very varried, mostly clay, sand and limestone, this give different wine flavors. [1] [2] [3] Climate is mediterranean and continental, cold wet winters, hot and windy summers, grapes ripen slow, develop flavors, acidity and good structure. [2] [3] Around Torgiano and Colli Martani the climate is very good for quality wine. [3]

Grapes

In Umbria both local and international grapes are grown, used pure or in mix. [1] [2] [3] Main white grapes are Grechetto, very common, Trebbiano Toscano (Procanico), Malvasia Bianca, Drupeggio, Verdello, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Sauvignon and Riesling. [1] [2] [3] Main red grapes are Sagrantino only in Montefalco but most known red, Sangiovese, Montepulciano, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo Nero, Pinot Nero, and Gamay introduced near Lago Trasimeno more than 100 years ago. [1] [2] [3]

Denominations

Umbria has two DOCG: Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG, mostly Sangiovese and Canaiolo Nero, and Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG, with Sagrantino. [1] [2] There are also 13 DOC and 6 IGT/IGP, like Orvieto, Montefalco, Torgiano, Assisi, Colli del Trasimeno, Colli Martani, Colli Perugini, Colli Altotiberini, Rosso Orvietano. [1] [2] [3] Orvieto wine is about two third of DOC production, known for white and Muffati Orvietani sweet wines. [1] [2]

Main wine areas

Main wine areas in Umbria include:

Notes

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 "Umbria". GuidaVino (in Italian). Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 "Il Vino nell'Umbria". QuattroCalici (in Italian). Retrieved 4 October 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 "Umbria". Assovini (in Italian). Retrieved 4 October 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.