Umbria Wine & Food

Umbrian Wine
 

Umbria has traditionally been known for its white wines thanks to the historic importance of the whites from Orvieto in the south of the region. Orvieto Classico, Orvieto's white DOCG is an ancient wine, made at least since the days of the Etruscans. In Orvieto itself, you can get the traditional abboccato variety, a juicy, semisweet version hard to find elsewhere in this age that demands gallons of dry white table wines.

However, not all of Umbria’s great wines are white.  In the region where we will be cycling, red is king.

Rubesco Riserva: This unique and elegant Umbrian wine made by a single estate (Le Tre Vaselle, where we stay on tour) was so deliciously demanding of attention the authorities had to create a tiny DOCG zone just to incorporate the vineyard. The vintner responsible was Giorgio Lungarotti, experimenting with his grapes in Torgiano south of Perugia.

Sagrantino di Montefalco: This dark wine with a rounded mouth feel and tannic bite--about the biggest and most complex wine you'll get in Umbria--has finally been recognized by the new DOCG classifications. Made with 100% Sagrantino grape, a native variety with nearly black skin, this dark wine must be aged 29 months before being released on the market.

Umbrian Food
Umbrian cuisine is based on seasonal ingredients, prepared simply to preserve the natural taste of each product.  The result of this simple formula is mouthwatering goodness. 

Meals often begin with toasted bruschetta covered with fresh tomatoes and the region’s prized olive oil or a selection of delicious cured meats. 

Pastas such as tagliolini, umbricelli, lasagna and cheese and herb filled ravioli constitute a first course.  Pork and black truffle sauce over pasta is a particular treat. 

Lentil beans from the plain of Castelluccio are especially prized for their great taste and soft texture and are mixed in with pastas or cooked into hearty soups. 

Wild game from rabbit to quail abounds on menus as well as high quality steaks, duck, lamb and pork. 

No trip to Umbria would be complete without a sampling of the local chocolate.  The Perugina chocolate factory in Perugia is known world-wide for its Baci (kisses) and the city is host to an annual chocolate festival that draws chocolate lovers from all over the world.