Let's discover the history and characteristics of this Umbrian wine produced in the area surrounding the village of Motefalco in Perugia's province.
Who looks out at one of the many viewpoints that you meet while walking through the Umbrian town of Montefalco can admire the green hills and the small medieval villages that alternate around the city of Perugia. Montefalco Sagrantino originates from these lands, silent witnesses of a millenary history. A “native" red that owes its international fame to the favorable encounter between the characteristics of the territory, the climatic conditions of the area and the care of the Umbrian winemakers.
Montefalco Sagrantino history
Its history is shrouded in mystery. There are no documents that testify to its production before 1500. Some sources tell of a possible Syrian origin. The supporters of this theses believe that the Franciscan friars may have brought it to Umbria, due to their frequent pilgrimages to the East. To confirm the theory it could be its original association with the Eucharistic rite and the Easter holidays. On the contrary, there is no doubt about the beginnings of its success which dates back to the Eighties and initially concerns the dry variant only. Only in the nineties, when the wine reached the boom in its popularity, Montefalco Sagrantino abandon the guise of rustic wine to rise to the role of great red.
Denomination DOCG
In 1992 Montefalco Sagrantino obtained the DOCG, both as dry and passito, which is reserved for wines produced with 100% Sagrantino grapes grown in an area that includes land in the municipality of Montefalco and part of the territory of the municipalities of Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Castel Ritaldi and Giano dell'Umbria. It is a very small area with soils that slope gently along the hilly profiles with altitudes from 220 m. s.l.m. to the 472 m. s.l.m..
Montefalco Sagrantino production
Produced in the Secco and Passito types, this wine is subjected to a mandatory aging period of at least 33 months of which, for the Secco type, at least twelve months in oak barrels of any size.
Wine characteristics
The Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG wines in the dry version have an intense ruby red color that sometimes has violet reflections and tends to garnet with aging. The scent is delicate, reminiscent of blackberries and plum, and blends perfectly with the vanilla scent given by the wood. The flavor is dry and harmonious, soft and velvety. The color of the Passito is deep ruby red. The scent is broad, delicate and reminiscent of red fruit jam. On the palate it is sweet, harmonious and pleasant.
Where to taste Montefalco Sagrantino: Còlpetrone cellar
The historical Còlpetrone winery is one of the most important production realities of Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. It produces also Rosso di Montefalco DOC, the well-known Umbrian white from Grechetto grapes and Sagrantino passito. Visiting this special location of the Tenute del Cerro, located in Umbria, offers the exclusive opportunity to participate in the tasting of several vintages of Sagrantino or the most typical wines of this area.
