Wine
Umbria
These are the wine regions of Umbria.
The quality of wine in Umbria is dependable. International wine guide books can be helpful, but you will probably stumble upon a good wine without their guidance. All wineries have roadside signs and have tastings. Most are small and welcome visitors.
During the last weekend in May Umbrian wineries organise a Cantine Aperte - that is an open day. One can drive around Umbria calling into wineries where food and wine are served and the new season's vintages can be tasted and orders placed - or not, as you please. The best known of the Umbrian wines are:
Orvieto
The area is best know for its white wines particularly Orvieto classico. Originally they were sweet but now they are produced as dry table wines. Orvieto is also producing excellent red wines (and has won prizes for them).
There are some specialist wine shops in Orvieto (in Italian wine shops are called "enoteca") but most people visit the wineries and buy direct. The wineries now cater for visitors and provide tastings of their current vintages.
Some wineries (Cantine) to visit:
Castello della Sala is located on the back road from Castel di Fiori to Orvieto through Allerona. It is a mediaeval castle complete with walled courtyard and dungeons now used as bottle stores. Wine sales take place in a large modern building opposite the Castle. It belongs to Antinori one of Italy's largest wine companies. Some excellent red and white wines are available but the reds are a bit pricey.
Palazzone is located near the Rocca Ripesena just off the Allerona to Orvieto road. It produces some excellent red and white wines which have won prizes at Vinitalia (national wine show) but are still reasonably priced. Pallazzone also provide a delivery service if you buy more than a few dozen.
Barberani is on the road between Orvieto and Todi overlooking lake Corbara. It is strictly speaking in the Lago Corbara wine area. Good range of red and white wines that are also sold in their own shop in Orvieto opposite the Duomo (cathederal).
Torgiano and Assisi
A famous winery in each area.
Lungarotti at Torgiano played a vital role in restoring the reputation of Umbria for good wine. There is also a wine museum and olive museum and a top class and top priced restaurant.
Sportoletti just outside the beautiful town of Spello is a relative new arrival on the wine scene but has made its mark particularly with its white wines.
Montefalco
The area has acquired great fame for its Sagrantino grape variety that is grown only in the Montefalco area. Originally used mainly for sweet desert wines similar to port it is now used for excellent red table wines.
Well known cantine (wineries) include Adanti and Antonelli but there are host of others. Our favourite is a small winery near the town called Pardi. They also make the famous fabric that is sold in the sold opposite the museum.
Tuscany
This map shows the principal wine areas of Tuscany. Most of them are too far from Castel di Fiori for a relaxed winery crawl. Montepulciano is an exception. It is famous for red wines called Vino nobile and Vino rosso and is about an hour to an hour and a half from Castel di Fiori - 25 minute beyond Chiusi.
Montalcino is for the dedicated wine buff. Another hour beyond Montepulciano it is one of the most famous and most expensive wine areas of Tuscany.