This week we are honored to have as our guest Jacopo Cossater, wine writer for the biggest wine blog in Italy, Intravino, on the show to discuss the Italian wine region he calls home: Umbria.

Umbria is the 4th smallest wine producing region of Italy, but its wines are exquisite and unlike anything else you'll ever have.

Here are the show notes:

1. First we discuss where Umbria is and what it is:

• Only Italian region without coastline nor international border –
• Lush, rolling hills, hilltop villages
• Between Tuscany, Marche, and Lazio
• Whites and reds are important here and quality on the rise

2. We talk about the wines:

Orvieto

• In southern Umbria, 80 miles north of Rome
• Volcanic and tufa soils
• Common Grapes:
  • Trebbiano Tocscano (Ugni Blanc)
  • Grechetto: Finer wine, good for structure
  • Malvasia: Floral, effusive aromatics
• Orvieto DOC: Can be lesser quality, better to seek out Orvieto Classico DOC
• Lago di Corbara DOC

Torgiano

• Located south of Perugia
• Common Grapes: Sangiovese, Canaiolo, Ciliegiolo (sometimes bottled as a varietal here)
• Rosso di Torgiano DOC: Sangiovese, Canaiolo
• Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG: The first wine to gain DOC (and later DOCG) status in Umbria: 50–70% Sangiovese, 15–30% Canaiolo, up to 15% other grapes like Ciliegiolo or Montepulciano.
• Recommended Producers: Cantine Lungarotti.
• Torgiano is home to Italy’s most important wine museum, Museo del Vino

Montefalco (Sagrantino and Rosso di Montefalco)

1. 30 miles southeast of Perugia.
2. Set up well for tourism and visiting

Sagrantino

• Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG: ageworthy red wines
  • Required to be at least 95% Sagrantino, the wines must be aged for 30 months; at least 12 of those months in oak barrels
  • Tannic, big wine. Used to be used for sacramental purposes
  • Responsible for the revolution in Umbrian reds
  • Pricey, but one worth holding
• Rosso di Montefalco: Sangiovese based red with a touch of Sagrantino
  • 60–70% Sangiovese, 10–15% Sagrantino and 15–30% other grapes, often Merlot or Cabernet Sauvignon.
  • Structure, fullness in wine, with lots of flavor

Jacopo's Producer Hit List:

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