Central Italy - Umbria

Question 1

Umbria its climate and main grapes

Answer 1

• landlocked region south of Tuscany (similar climate)
• warm, mildly continental. Hot summers can heat stress vines.
• 800mm rain in autumn/winter - sustain vines in summer, reduces fungals - though risk of Sept/Oct rain at harvest
• sufficient dry autumns allow for late harvest/ botrytised
• grows mostly Sangiovese and Trebbiano, but its most important wines are white Orvieto DOC (Grechetto and Trebbiano) and red Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG (Sagratino grape)

Question 2

one slide on Grechetto (di Orvieto)

Answer 2

• white, thick-skinned variety, resistant fungus (incl downy mildew), so suitable for late harvesting
• low to medium intensity lemon and white flower aromas, high acidity and medium body
• significant blending component (with Trebbiano Toscano) in Orvieto

Question 3

Orvieto (Classico) DOC

Answer 3

• w edge of Umbria
• min 60% Trebbiano Toscano and/or Grechetto grown at 100-550m above sea level
• better wines more Grechetto, more flavour
• medium(-) intensity lemon/apple fruit, med + alcohol, med (+) acidity, light body
• max yields 77hL/ha (superiore 56 hL/ha, more intense)
• DOC for dry, off-dry & sweet
  
  • vendemmia tardive (late harvest) muffa nobile (noble rotted)

Question 4

wine-making of Orvieto DOC

Answer 4

• 60% Trebbiano Tosacano and/or Grechetto
• dry wines fermented stainless steel, cool temps (12-16) to retain primary fruit
• brief ageing in stainless steel to retain fresh fruit
• release for drinking with 1-2 years
• acceptable to good quality, inexpensive/ medium price
• significant prodcuers incl Barberani

Question 5

what is the difference between Rosso di Montefalco DOC and Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG in Umbria?

Answer 5

• Rosso di Montefalco DOC Sangiovese 60-70% with 10-15% Sagrantino + others max 77hL/ha, min 18mths aging
• Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG 100% Sagrantino, 52hL/ha, 33 mths ageing, min 12mths in wood (cost)
  
  • single vineyards can add name
  • typically good to outstanding, mid to premium price
• Traditionally 2 mths maceation, but now 2-3 weeks to avoid extracting harsh tannins. Some soften with new French barriques (eg Arnaldo Caprai - 2 yrs in barriques), others large casks and extended bottle aging.

Question 6

In what way Montefalco in Umbria been innovative and forward thinking?

Answer 6

• projects to raise standard of grape growing, incl network of weather stations, collecting/processing and making it available to growers to warn of disease risk, enabling reduction of treatments/ chemicals
• several cos innovating eg Barberani in organic, Lungarotti in energy recovery from biomass, Arnaldo Caprai in sustainability

Question 7

is the modern style of Sagrantino di Montefalco DOCG successful?

Answer 7

• yes
• hectares under vine quadrupled to 650ha from 2000-15
• 60% exported, esp USA, Germany and Canada