Antonelli, a longtime leading name in the Montefalco region, makes two wines under the Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC, one without skin contact, and this one, with skin contact. Antonelli’s Vigna Tonda displays a delicate orange wine-quality while still maintaining its peppery raciness.… Read more

Antonelli, a longtime leading name in the Montefalco region, makes two wines under the Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino DOC, one without skin contact, and this one, with skin contact. Antonelli’s Vigna Tonda displays a delicate orange wine-quality while still maintaining its peppery raciness.… Read more

Tenuta Bellafonte prefers to take advantage of the Montefalco name by using the Montefalco Bianco DOC for their wine made entirely from Trebbiano Spoletino, an under-the-radar grape that deserves recognition because of its captivating character. Their mid-weight 2024 Sperella marries richness with an appealing and intriguing white pepper-like spiciness that I find characteristic of Trebbiano Spoletino, which, by the way, is unrelated to the more pedestrian Trebbiano Toscana or Trebbiano d’Abruzzo.… Read more

Perticaia, another top producer in Montefalco, like many producers in this relatively unknown DOC, is trying techniques in the cellar to expand the spectrum of this underappreciated grape. This wine, labeled simply with the grape name, spends a three to six months on the lees after undergoing a few days of skin contact during fermentation.… Read more

Tenuta Alzatura could label their Cortili as DOC Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino since it is made entirely from Trebbiano Spoletino, a unique grape that makes fare more distinctive wines than the more pedestrian Trebbiano Toscana. Instead, they opt to use Montefalco Bianco DOC because of Montefalco’s name recognition.… Read more

In addition to their Cortili, Tenuta Alzatura also ferments and ages Trebbiano Spoletino in 500-liter new oak barrels, which adds an extra dimension to their Aria de Casa. The subtle oak exposure imparts an alluring layer of complexity to the still fresh and balanced 2022 Aria di Casa without losing any of the grape’s energy.… Read more

The DOCG of Montefalco Sagrantino has a well-deserved reputation for producing robust red wines replete with tannins and alcohol. What immediately stands out in Lunelli’s youthful 2021 Carapace and grabs your attention is its suave tannins and texture. Lunelli’s winemaker, Luca Capaldini, quips, “grapes that grow in the darkness hold onto tannins,” so they remove leaves during the growing season to let the grapes see the sun.… Read more

Antonelli ferments their Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino labeled Vigna Tonda with a few days of skin contact, which imparts a delicate orange wine-like character without overwhelming its raciness. It too, like their Trebium, has good weight and a spicy component that is very alluring.… Read more

Let me unravel the name of this DOC since it’s confusing with both a geographic name, Spoleto, and a grape name, Trebbiano Spoletino. Spoleto is a well-known (at least to music lovers) town in Umbria. Trebbiano Spoletino is an ancient Umbrian variety that is distinct from, and makes far more interesting wine than, the more common Trebbiano Toscano or Trebbiano Abruzzo.… Read more

Caprai, one of the top producers of Montefalco Sagrantino, also produces noteworthy whites, like this mid-weight and lively Grecante. Made entirely from Grechetto, a local white grape, it delivers a delightful hint of almond-like bitterness in the finish, a characteristic that defines wine made from that grape.… Read more

Montefalco Rosso is the more ready-to-drink category of the prestigious, powerful, and tannic Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. Unlike other rosso categories, Montefalco Rosso does not follow the varietal composition of its big brother. Rather, it focuses on Sangiovese (60 to 80%), requiring only 10 to 25% of Sagrantino.… Read more

Montefalco Rosso is the more ready-to-drink category related to the prestigious, powerful, and tannic Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. Unlike other “Rosso” categories (e.g., Rosso di Montalcino), Montefalco Rosso does not follow the varietal composition of its big brother. Rather, it focuses on Sangiovese (60 to 80%), requiring only 10 to 25 % of Sagrantino.… Read more

Antonelli, located in Montefalco, is an outlier there in one respect—almost a third of their production is white, compared to about ten percent for the area in general. After seeing the quality of this wine, I understand why. Trebbiano Spoletino is not a clone of Trebbiano but has a different and unique DNA.… Read more

Pinot Noir in Central Italy? Call me skeptical, but that is exactly the reason to taste. And am I glad I did! The volcanic soil of the Calanchi Valley—hence the name of the wine—likely imbues it with such a compelling combination of fruity and savory notes.… Read more

($47, Tradizione Imports):  The Sagrantino grape does not make wimpy wines.  So, there’s no surprise that this one is big and bold, weighing in at 15.5 percent stated-alcohol.  And, as expected from wines from this DOCG, its tannic youthfulness is in evidence. … Read more

($35, Provicenter USA):  The Sagrantino grape has abundant fierce tannins, which explains the character of the wines from Montefalco Sagrantino (formerly called Sagrantino di Montefalco).  Wines from this DOCG require exclusive use of that grape and benefit from years, even decades, of bottle age to soften them. … Read more

($21, Wilson Daniels):  The wines from Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG are powerful and tannic red wines that need years, if not a decade, to be ready to drink.  If there were ever a need for a “rosso,” that is, a wine from a region that is ready to drink sooner (think Rosso di Montalcino) it is from this region. … Read more

($18, Wilson Daniels): Historically, white wines from Umbria, made from the Grechetto grape, were called Greco, Grechetto or Grecante.  Arnaldo-Caprai, one of the region’s leading producers, opted from Grecante, but the grape name still appears on the label as well.  This white combines freshness with an intriguing subtle nuttiness. … Read more

($20, Wilson Daniels): The major problem facing growers of Sagrantino di Montefalco, a prestigious DOCG in Umbria, is how to make the wine more approachable when young — Sagrantino has ferocious tannins — without eviscerating it.  Enter the Montefalco Rosso DOC, which gives the consumer a chance get a hint of what the region has to offer. … Read more

($45, Golden Ram Imports/Blue Sky Group): Castello delle Regine will be the producer to focus the light on Umbria as a source of grand wine.  Their Selezione del Fondatore, which to my mind is their flagship wine, comes exclusively from 50+ year-old Sangiovese vines that the owners found on the property when they purchased it in the 1990s. … Read more

($20): Arnaldo-Caprai, certainly one of the top producers in Montefalco, has done an excellent job with this Montefalco Rosso, the baby brother of Sagrantino di Montefalco, which as DOCG status.  Similar to other Rosso, such as Rosso di Montalcino, the Montefalco Rosso category gives the consumer an idea of what the Sagrantino di Montefalco, a wine that demands extended bottle aging to tame the tannins, might taste like since it is far more approachable at a young age. … Read more

($19, Wilson Daniels): Arnaldo-Caprai is one of the top producers of Sagrantino di Montefalco, a sturdy long lived red wine.  It turns out he does equally well with a more delicate white.  This Grechetto delivers a lovely and lively crispness without being aggressive or overbearing. … Read more

($14):  What a bargain!  This blend of Sangiovese (50%), Cabernet Sauvignon (30%), and Merlot has a charming rusticity amplified by uplifting Italian acidity.  The blend works since the Cabernet adds herbal qualities without  dominating.  The wine’s impressive density–without being heavy–makes it a perfect choice for hearty pasta dishes this winter.… Read more

($60, Folio Fine Wine Partners): Montefalco Sagrantino, similar to Barolo and Taurasi, can be an impenetrable wine when young because of substantial tannins. The tannins in this massive 2009 from Arnaldo-Caprai, perhaps the leading producer in the DOCG, are still very evident, even at six years of age, but they are not aggressive or astringent. … Read more

($20, Folio Fine Wine Partners): Arnaldo-Caprai, one of the great names in the DOCG of Montefalco Sagrantino, also makes an easy to recommend Montefalco Rosso, a junior varsity version of that DOCG.  Whereas regulations for Montefalco Sagrantino require exclusive use of Sagrantino, winemakers are permitted to blend other grapes in Montefalco Rosso, which makes it a far more approachable wine. … Read more

($20): Arnaldo-Caprai, one of the top producers of Sagrantino, a sturdy red from Umbria, also makes this enticing white from Grechetto, a little known — at least in the U.S. — white grape. Mineraly and slightly creamy, it has good depth and a lovely firmness. … Read more

($11, Winebow): In 1979, Riccardo Cotarella, one of Italy’s greatest winemakers, along with his brother, Renzo, founded Falesco, a winery that has been producing exceptionally valued wines ever since.  Vitiano, a blend of Merlot, Sangiovese, and Cabernet Sauvignon, delivers fruit and earthy flavors supported by fine tannins and vibrant acidity with an enchanting slight bitter finish.… Read more

($18, Vignaioli Selection): Grechetto di Todi, also known as Pignoletto, is a distinct variety from Grechetto di Umbria, the grape frequently used in Orvieto.  So don’t think this is an Orvieto.  Not surprisingly, given the name of the winery and the name of the wine, it is beautifully floral.  … Read more

($41, Banfi Imports): Combine the owner of Tenuta Alzatura, the Cecchi family, one of Tuscany’s most reliable producers, with a superb vintage, 2008, and you’d expect an outstanding wine just from the label.  What’s in the bottle confirms your prediction.  Mind you, this wine, as good as it is, is not for the faint of heart. … Read more

($35): Antonelli’s viticultural and winemaking techniques result in a more elegant Sagrantino, often a wine with ferocious tannins.  This Sagrantino is, indeed, less extracted and slightly less muscular than many.  But not at the expense of minerality and earthiness, that really borders on an alluring tarry aspect. … Read more

($17): Sagrantino di Montefalco is a tannic muscular red wine because that’s the nature of the Sagrantino grape.  Those who enjoy that style of wine gravitate toward young wine from that DOCG.  Those who prefer something less bruising either need to age their Sagrantino di Montefalco or reach for a Montefalco Rosso, such as this one. … Read more