Listen to “287. The Perfect Vine: Wine Adventures in Umbria” on Spreaker.
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Curious about the wines of Umbria and what makes this region so special? Explore the heart of Italy’s green, landlocked region, where rolling hills and medieval towns are paired with distinctive wines like crisp Orvieto DOC and the bold, age-worthy Sagrantino di Montefalco. Along the way, uncover how food, festivals, and deep-rooted traditions shape Umbrian culture, plus get practical tips on visiting wineries, seasonal highlights, and savoring the authentic flavors of this enchanting part of Italy.
Summary
In this episode, we welcome back Untold Italy's wine experts, Olivia Windsor and Andrea Mitti Rua of Italian Wine Tales, to uncover Umbria’s wine culture. From bold Sagrantino and crisp Orvieto DOC to food traditions, festivals, and vineyard visits, discover why this central Italian region offers a more authentic taste of Italy beyond Tuscany.
What you'll learn in this episode
- Umbria is a landlocked region in central Italy, bordered by Tuscany, Lazio, and Marche, with rolling hills and medieval hill towns like Perugia, Orvieto, and Assisi
- Orvieto DOC is the region’s signature white wine, typically light, dry, and mineral, made from Grechetto and Trebbiano, best enjoyed young and fresh
- Sagrantino di Montefalco is one of Italy’s boldest reds – full-bodied, high in tannins, and ideal for aging, often paired with rich meats like wild boar ragu or lamb
- Torgiano Rosso Riserva and Montefalco Rosso blends offer more approachable reds, balancing Sangiovese with local grapes for versatile food pairings
- Umbrian culture shines through porchetta street food, truffle season, artisanal crafts, and centuries-old festivals like Gubbio’s Festa dei Ceri and Spello’s Flower Festival
Timeline Overview
- 05:13 Umbria's uncelebrated wine secrets
- 11:27 Exploring Piedmont and Umbrian wines
- 16:32 Red vs. White, wine aging and pairing tips
- 24:45 Umbrian Porchetta and food traditions
- 28:17 Exploring Umbria's wine scene and local festivals
- 39:31 Travel and wine insights from Italy
About our guests – Olivia Windsor and Andrea Mitti Rua
Olivia writes a blog called Livguine, named after her love for pasta and her nickname Liv. She has explored the country south to north, working in agriturismi and organic wineries before settling in Turin, Piedmont for a time after meeting a local Piemontese Andrea. They are both now based in Rome and Olivia hosts various Untold Italy Tours throughout the year in Piedmont, Liguria, Tuscany Capri and Puglia.
Follow Liv and Andrea here
Italian places, foods and concepts mentioned
Places
- Montefalco – with a great piazza
- Perugia – a medieval college city in Umbria
- Gubbio – city in Umbria, located on the lowest slope of Mt. Ingino, a small mountain of the Apennines. Home to a wonderful religious festival, well worth a visit – Festa dei Ceri
- Spello – charming Umbrian town, famous for its Infiorata – flower festival
- Orvieto – historic Umbrian hilltop city
- Assisi – medieval city in Umbria. Famous for St Francis, the founder of the Franciscan Order
- Terre Margaritelli – a biodynamic winery that you can book to visit online and English is spoken
- Di Filippo – winery overlooking Assisi, easy to book and visit, with a wide choice
- Saio Assisi – winery that offers picnics in the vineyard overlooking Assisi
- Bevagna – Umbrian town that has a summer Medieval festival
Food / Drink
- Sagrantino di Montefalco – type of wine made with 100% Sagrantino grapes in and around the comune of Montefalco in Umbria
- Orvieto DOC – crisp white wine made with Grechetto and Trebbiano grapes
- Wild boar ragu – Ragu di Cinghiale is a traditional favorite dish in Umbria
- Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG – a red wine from Umbria of the Sangiovese grape blended with Canaiolo or sometimes Cabernet
- Montefalco Rosso – literally translating to Montefalco red. It is a red wine blend of the Sangiovese and Sagrantino grapes
- Porchetta – a specialty in Umbria. The pork is cooked with the crackling on the outside with tender pork on the inside, often with types of stuffing and is often served as street food, as well as main meals and even aperitivo
Words / Concepts
- Winedering – a great Italian company that you can book to visit wineries through online
- vendemmia – the wine harvest
Related content on Untold Italy
Podcasts
- Ep 282 – Alpine sips – Spectacular wines from the Dolomites
- Ep 246 – Exploring Sicily's Volcanic Vineyards – Mount Etna Wines
- Ep 238 – Liguria -a small but mighty wine region
- Ep 229 – From Grits to Grape – How Puglia is redefining its wine culture
- Ep 221 – Magical Marsala – The sweet taste of Sicilian wine
- Ep 213 – Wines of Southern Tuscany- Brunello di Montalcino and Beyond
- Ep 206 – Barolo – King of wines and its wonderful region
- Ep 196 – Beyond Chianti – The wonderful world of Italian red wine
- Ep 189 – Pour yourself a glass – Discovering Italian white wines
- Ep 179 – Italian sparkling wine – Toasting the best from Prosecco to Franciacorta
- Ep 284 – From Dream to Reality – A Solo Adventure in the Heart of Italy
- Ep 223 – Delicious Umbria’s most tasty food experiences
- Ep 216 – 10 Reasons we love Umbria
- Ep 202 – Amazing Assisi – Hosting Travelers for Centuries
- Ep 173 – From tree to table – the Olive Harvest in Umbria
- Ep 126 – What is an agriturismo and why you should stay in one
- Ep 117 – Porchetta, pasta and panzanella – Dishes from Umbria
- Ep 065 – Uncovering Umbrias towns and villages
- Ep 019 – Wine and wandering in Umbria
Articles
- Umbria Travel Guide
- Best Agriturismo in Umbria
- Best Wineries in Italy to Visit to Taste La Dolce Vita
- Iconic Italian Wine: 17 Must-Try Varieties
- Visiting Italy in October
- Italy in November
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