The finest and most characteristic wines of Umbria are the stars of the itinerary we are describing here: wines that you can enjoy paired with other local delicacies, specifically oil, another typical product among the region’s best known and loved. Starting from Torgiano and passing through Cannara, Montefalco and Massa Martana, arriving in Todi, discovering hamlets and enchanting scenery, as well as some of the food and wine that make it worth your while getting to know the green heart of Italy.
Torgiano: Rosso Riserva and bruschetta
Torgiano is one of Umbria’s capitals of good wine: in fact this is where Torgiano Rosso Riserva is produced, a DOCG with a strong and unique character. It is aged at length – at least three years, according to the rules of production – this wine has a bright ruby red colour. The nose is winey and delicate, to the palate it is dry, harmonic, good body. It is excellent paired with entrées or roast meat, aged cheese and game. To enjoy it, it is perfect with a bruschetta prepared with excellent oil produced not only in this zone, but across Umbria.
Cannara: red wine and onions
Cannara rosso and Cannara rosso passito are two wines to enjoy on our food and wine itinerary on the discovery of the best delicacies in central Umbria. The ‘rosso’ (red wine) has a full, pleasantly slightly bitter and tannic taste, with hints of toasted wood when aged. The ‘rosso passito’ (sweet red dessert wine) is, on the other hand, sweet, full, round, fruity. In Cannara, in addition to the wine, you mustn’t miss the famous onion: this local delicacy with its unique flavour makes amazing parmigiana and pizza. If you love onions then the Cannara variety is also excellent roasted in the oven or raw, in salad.
Montefalco: Sagrantino and a cutting board of the best of Umbria
Sagrantino di Montefalco is the second Umbrian DOCG: in fact it holds its exclusive ranking in the region along with Torgiano Rosso Riserva mentioned above. This is probably the best known and loved Umbrian wine in the world: ancient and fine, it is produced in two types: dry and passito. It is mandatorily aged for a period of at least 33 months, it has a dry and harmonious flavour and strong personality: this is why it pairs well with dishes with equally strong flavours. You can fully enjoy it paired with, for example, a cutting board of the best assortment of Umbrian charcuterie, cheeses and torta al testo.
Massa Martana: “Colli Martani” with truffle tagliatelle
On the topic of Umbria and its traditional products, we have to include truffles. Therefore, arriving in Massa Martana, the forth leg of our itinerary dedicated to local food and wine, it is time to enjoy a hearty plate of strangozzi or tagliatelle with truffles. The recommended pairing is with DOC “Colli Martani”, characterised by many different types and therefore you can choose based on preference, but also on the type of truffle.
Todi: Grero and wild pigeon ‘palomba alla ghiotta’
Todi is where we gloriously conclude our journey through some of the best wines in Umbria. In the city of Jacopone even the wines represent the fine local products: in fact here, in addition to DOC Todi – in its red, white, Grechetto, Sangiovese and Merlot varieties – we produce Grero, an ancient variety of red grape Grechetto which had almost completely disappeared, but was subject to a long project of research and recovery that led to, in 2011, registering this wine with the National registry of Grape Varieties. And Grero is precisely the right wine to enjoy with what may very well be Todi’s most traditional dish, palomba alla ghiotta or palomba alla todina, (Todi style wild pigeon).
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