Gambero Rosso, Italy’s prestigious organisation committed to quality wines, olive oil, restaurants & coffee recently published its ‘Tre Bicchieri’ 2013 awards for wines. Before detailing their Umbrian selection they had this to say about our Umbrian wines –
There are many good, even excellent wines, but there is a concern that in the quest for producing quality wines the local identity, originality and personality of the wines may be lost. They particularly appreciate that traditional vines are being re-introduced – Sagrantino, Ciliegiolo, Grechetto, Trebbiano Spoleto and the Trasimeno Gamay for example and see this as the way forward.
They gave special mention also to the wine ‘L’Andrea’ Colli Perugini Rosso 2008 which is produced by The Old winery, Il Castello, Monte Vibiano which this year won the Award for Sustainable Viticulture www.montevibiano.it. Situated near Mercatello between Castiglione della Valle and Marsciano it is the first vineyard to claim zero CO2 emissions and is committed to sustainable high quality production.
Reproduced below is Gambero Rosso’s ‘Tre Bicchieri’ Umbrian selection –
Cervaro Hall 2010 Castello della Sala
Andrea Colli Perugini Rosso 2008 The Old Winery Castello Monte Vibiano
2008 Antonelli Montefalco Sagrantino
Montefalco Sagrantino 25 Anni 2008 Caprai
Montefalco Sagrantino Field to Cerqua Tabarrini 2008
Montefalco Sagrantino 2009 Colleallodole Antano Miltiades – Larks Hill Farm
Montefalco Sagrantino Well the Cure 2009 Villa Mongalli
Orvieto Classico Superiore IN 2011 Decugnano dei Barbi
Orvieto Classico Superiore Terre Vineate 2011 Palazzone
Torgiano Rosso Vigna Monticchio Res. 2007 Lungarotti
So if you want a particularly nice wine to go with your Turkey this Christmas there are several vineyards within easy travelling distance and some delightful wines to choose from –Salute.