History
Umbria’s wine industry has a long history. The Etruscans, the Romans and the Greeks all planted vines in the region. Monasteries played an important role in early viticulture, especially during the Dark Ages when much of Europe was forced to abandon wine production. Between 1520 and 1860 wine production in Umbria fell by 80 percent as it was diverted to other crops such as olives, corn and wheat.
In 1880 a phylloxera epidemic devastated vineyards all over Europe, but growers were slow to take measures to protect their vines because they thought it would be costly. As a result of this inaction most of Umbria’s vineyards were wiped out, though some areas on volcanic soils weren’t affected.
Over time grape varieties have changed dramatically in Umbria—due primarily to limited demand for certain grapes. In 1973 there were only seven commercially-grown red grapes; today there are more than 20 recognized red grape varieties grown in Umbria for commercial use (though for some time now many producers have been making wines from unnamed local varieties).
Geography
Though it’s not as famous or well known as some of Italy’s other wine regions, Umbria is one of the most beautiful. It is completely landlocked—no oceans, no major rivers, no lakes. But don’t let that dissuade you from visiting this tranquil region. Umbria is located in central Italy, and although its borders are small, there is still much to see and do within them. Lake Trasimeno is the region’s largest lake. Although it isn’t very large in comparison to the rest of the world’s lakes, it still makes a nice day trip for boating or swimming if you’re coming from Florence or Rome! You can also see some historical sites such as Castello di Reschio (a castle built around 1000 AD) by visiting this area during your travels through Umbria…
Climate and soil
You can expect a continental climate in Umbria, one that’s similar to neighboring Tuscany and Emilia Romagna in the north. Summers here are hot and dry, while winters are cold. Spring and fall provide pleasant temperatures. The soil in this region is generally rocky and clay-based (like Tuscan soil!), with excellent drainage thanks to its richness in minerals. Umbria’s hilly terrain, however, isn’t as conducive to grape-growing as the flatter plains of their neighbors to the west. However, this doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t give some of their varietals a try!
Grape varieties
- Grape varieties. Umbria has a unique mix of indigenous and international grape varieties, with the concentration of indigenous varieties being higher than most Italian wine regions. International grapes including Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot are grown alongside Italian wines like Grechetto, Trebbiano, Sagrantino and Sangiovese.
- The importance of Sagrantino: Of all the grape varieties grown in Umbria, the most important is undoubtedly Sagrantino. This red grape is capable of producing very rich tannic wines that are highly sought after by collectors as they age well over decades. Because these wines take so long to soften, they do not get to market for many years after their vintage date and therefore remain some of the more expensive Italian wines on the market.
Apellations
In Umbria, there are seven DOCG wines and fifteen DOC wines.
Famous wines, producers and regions
The wines of Umbria are some of the most famous in Italy. While you might not be able to find a bottle at every local wine shop, there are plenty of options that can be shipped directly to your home. Here’s a quick rundown:
Umbria is a small region of central Italy with a long history and many fine red wines to offer.
Umbria is a small region of central Italy with a long history and many fine red wines to offer. It is bordered by Tuscany to the west, Marche to the east, and Lazio to the south. Its nickname is “The Green Heart of Italy,” a reference to its physical location as well as its verdant landscape. In fact, much of Umbria’s soil contains volcanic rock mixed with limestone, which makes for good vineyard growing conditions.
The weather tends toward hot and dry summers, with cold winters that allow for only an average amount of rainfall (especially compared with some other regions). As such, much Umbrian wine production takes place in more elevated areas where there is less chance of spring frosts ruining the harvest.
Vineyards are found mainly on the hillsides that surround Lake Trasimeno in the south-west quadrant of Umbria. The most prominent subregions are Colli Martani DOCG (a small area notable for high quality) and Montefalco DOCG (which produces some excellent wines).