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Orvieto, the wine, is a blend of at least 60% Trebbiano in combination with Grechetto, with the possible addition of other local white varieties. Rosso di Montefalco, on the other had, is composed mainly of Sangiovese and is a more fruit-driven, quaffable wine to enjoy while waiting for the Sagrantinos to mellow out.Īmong its green mountains, perched upon a high cliff in the province of Terni, sits the town of Orvieto. Incidentally these wines often fall under the radar in the scene of high-end, age-begging, Italian reds, giving them an almost cult-classic appeal. By law this classified wine has to be aged over three years before it can be released from the winery and Sagrantino often needs a good 5-10 more years in bottle before it reaches its peak. The resulting wine, Sagrantino di Montefalco, is an age-worthy, brawny, brambly red, bursting with jammy, blackberry fruit and earthy, pine forest aromas. It’s star red grape variety, Sagrantino, finds its mecca around the striking, hilltop village of Montefalco. The Sportoletti brothers also own 3,000 olive trees on land that is 1,600 feet in altitude, on the slope of the Monte Subasio.Ĭentered upon the lush Apennine Range in the center if the Italian peninsula, Umbria is one of the few completely landlocked regions in Italy. In the last few years the prominent enologist Riccardo Cotarella has consulted with the winery. Vinification is carried out in temperature controlled stainless steel tanks and the best reds are refined in French oak. The same care is taken in the cellar where the vinification takes place utilizing an air press for a soft pressing. The vines are followed very attentively up to their harvest, when the grapes are handpicked. Recently, Sportoletti went through a process of renewing the vines with new grape clones of Grechetto and Chardonnay, Sauvignon Blanc, Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Nero which is showing very promising results in Italian Oenology. Today the company owns 50 acres of vines all situated in the hills of Assisi and Spello, an area highly regarded for its climate and for its association with the Denominazione di Origine Controllata of Assisi. In 1979 Sportoletti decided to start producing fine wines of high quality, with the philosophy of respecting the characteristics typical of the hilly area of central Umbria. It is Sportoletti's top wine in terms of volumes and it is renown both in Italy and abroad for its outstanding quality/price ratio.Sportoletti is a family owned agricultural business which for several generations has relied primarily on revenue from farming. Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon confer this wine excellent smoothness and versatility. Initially renown for extra-virgin olive oil, the area saw its wine-producing potential acknowledged. Smooth and structured in the mouth, with a complex and pleasantly tannic finish.įood matches: Roasts, stews, game, fondue, hard aged cheese.īackground: The Assisi DOC area was founded in 1997. Fresh with fruity hints of cherries and blackberries, sweet spices and chocolate to the nose. Tasting notes: Rubin red with purple nuances. The wine refines in French oak, second-passage barriques for some months and then in bottles for 6 months. Vinification: The grapes make maceration into thermo-conditioned tanks for 10-15 days with regular pumpovers and delestage, and worked separately so as they can fully develop their own qualities.Īfterwards, malolactic fermentation is carried out and monitored. Harvest started very early this year, the first days of September, with Merlot then Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese. The soil is generally shallow with rich content in stones and organic matters due to Monte Subasio limestone erosion. The vineyards are all located at 400 m of altitude in the Assisi DOC (Denominazione di origine protetta, Protected designation of Origin)Īrea and are about 17-18 years old. Sangiovese 50%, Merlot 30%, Cabernet Sauvignon 20%