Day Four: September 16: Lungarotti, Perticaia And Musical Chairs In Belvena
"Adventures In Wine Country" with Co-Hosts Chuck Byers and Greg Rist is a new series airing April 2010 on Chex Television Channel 12 Durham and the Greater Toronto Area.
Lungarotti
Lungarotti is a famous name in wine. As a matter of fact, the first serious name I ever had when I started on the wine journey some years ago was the Rubesco Riserva 1979. I still have the wooden box that it came in and through the years have had many of the Riservas of Lungarotti.
The company was founded around 1960 by Dr. Georgio Lungarotti. He had a vision that Umbria could compete with the rest of the wine world and hold its own. His company in Torigianobecame well known and respected. It also proved to the rest of Umbria that its wines could compete and win.
The winery now boasts a superb museum as well as a state of the art hotel and---of course, a magnificent winery. Recently, the Lungarottis forged ahead in Montefalco by developping a winery in the region. Greg Rist and I visited the winery!
We drove up what seemed to be a very long private driveway to the winery which was scenically placed in the middle of a vineyard. Surrounded by grapevines, the relatively modern and very spacious building was still undergoing some finishing touches. It was evident that this winery was to be a very serious for work-------and play. The party/reception area could easily hold a large event.
The uncompleted building had unique tapestries and other cultural items. It was not finished and still needed some work done but the winery and building was certain to be a success.
Teresa Severini, drove up in her car and greeted us apologetically since traffic had kept her late. It really wasn't that much of a problem since we did get a head start in filming. With her she brought some of her wines.
We tried three of them: Pinot Grigio, Rubesco di Torigiano and Sagrantino de Montefalco.
Pinot Grigio
A nice colour of the wine with a floral bouquet with a certain herbal element. The palate is fine, with a citrus herbal mix and an intense finish that is both flavourful and acidic.
Rubesco di Torgiano Reserva
This not a Montefalco wine though it is Umbrian and one of the first if not the first DOC and DOCG in Umbria. A truly lovely wine with a bouquet of black fruit with a violet floral background and pepper spice. The palate finds a similar black fruit taste with some ripe red background. The finish is lengthy and concentrated.
Sagrantino di Montefalco
This wine is a bit different than others of the same variety. It seems more accessible and not as aggressive with its tannins. The wine certainly has lots of aging potential and will evolve well but it can be enjoyed without malice right now. This goes for most women who are now enjoying the values of red wine. Most Sagrantinos, especially the young ones, have an aggressive tannin that does require some aging. However, this is not so of this four year old. On the nose it has some nice red fruits and coffee on the nose with a palate that is smooth on the intake and red/black fruit jam taste. The finish is both fresh and persistent.
Off To Perticaia Winery
This winery was opened in 2000. Owner, Guido Guardigli decided to buy in Montefalco and plant 14 hectares of grapes in the village of Gualdo Cattaneo. Guido has the following grape varieties: for Montefalco Rosso he has Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Fanc and Colorino. In addition to the regular Sagrantino, Montefalco Rosso and Passito di Sagrantino , he also produces Umbria Rosso IGT and Trebbiano Spoletino. In addition to this, there is an olive grove on the premises.
In order for this business to be a success, Claudio had to work very hard and that is why he chose the signature symbol of the plough to be his trade mark. An actual plough is exhibited in the foyer of his winery.
Wines Tasted
Umbria Roso IGT
A dark wine with aromas of Black Cherries and raspberries and a palate that has cherry flavours and an austere finish. (Sangiovese, Merlot, Colorino).
Montefalco Rosso:
Not your normal efforts here since there is a grape variety that is normally exhibited. The grape varieties here are : Sangiovese, Colorino, Sagrantino, Merlot. The wine can be expected to do well depending on what group you were in. On the nose: Berries (wild blueberries, raspberries)! We then turn our heads at the block buster and gave her the envelope,
Sagrantino di Montefalco:
A keeping wine to be cellared for some years depending on the cellar. I would say about maximum development of 10 to 15 years. On the nose it is spicy with pepper and sweet cinnamon. There is ripe red and some black fruit. On the palate the wine is big. Tannins are strong but not aggressive and the wine is well integrated. Again, red and black fruit with spice are noticed. The finish is very long and persistent.
Musical Chairs
After our wine tasting, Christina took us the Bevagna to take pictures of the restaurant 'Redibis'
and then she suggested us filming "the chairs". Both Greg and I wondered what the chairs were and they turned out to be three chairs with the names of the owners on them. They were meant to keep others off and had become somewhat of a celebrity themselves.
Greg interviewed the two owners (one is now deceased) and it was too much not to do a skit concerning me sitting on one of the men's chairs and getting chased off by a cane wielding maniac. It went off great and as Greg Rist usually says, "Simple is the Key". This was done quickly and simply! It came off perfect.
We then visited another very historic and medieval church.
On our way back, we passed the Bastardo sign of a by the same name. The legend has it that a person had moved here from another region and was looked on as an outsider. He wasn't particularly pleasant so he inherited the name----Bastardo or------!! The name stuck and even though there have been movements to change it, the towns people want to keep it as is. It is a good tourist catcher if nothing else.
Christina was a wealth of information and took us to an olive tree which was over 1000 years old. Threes around it ranged from 50 to 600 years in age. Amazing. Finally we went to the Fortress in Bevagna and took some great pictures from it.
Just prior to leaving, we purchased some beer for the evening at Subretia and all was well.
END OF DAY FOUR
Lungarotti
Lungarotti is a famous name in wine. As a matter of fact, the first serious name I ever had when I started on the wine journey some years ago was the Rubesco Riserva 1979. I still have the wooden box that it came in and through the years have had many of the Riservas of Lungarotti.
The company was founded around 1960 by Dr. Georgio Lungarotti. He had a vision that Umbria could compete with the rest of the wine world and hold its own. His company in Torigianobecame well known and respected. It also proved to the rest of Umbria that its wines could compete and win.
The winery now boasts a superb museum as well as a state of the art hotel and---of course, a magnificent winery. Recently, the Lungarottis forged ahead in Montefalco by developping a winery in the region. Greg Rist and I visited the winery!
We drove up what seemed to be a very long private driveway to the winery which was scenically placed in the middle of a vineyard. Surrounded by grapevines, the relatively modern and very spacious building was still undergoing some finishing touches. It was evident that this winery was to be a very serious for work-------and play. The party/reception area could easily hold a large event.
The uncompleted building had unique tapestries and other cultural items. It was not finished and still needed some work done but the winery and building was certain to be a success.
Teresa Severini, drove up in her car and greeted us apologetically since traffic had kept her late. It really wasn't that much of a problem since we did get a head start in filming. With her she brought some of her wines.
We tried three of them: Pinot Grigio, Rubesco di Torigiano and Sagrantino de Montefalco.
Pinot Grigio
A nice colour of the wine with a floral bouquet with a certain herbal element. The palate is fine, with a citrus herbal mix and an intense finish that is both flavourful and acidic.
Rubesco di Torgiano Reserva
This not a Montefalco wine though it is Umbrian and one of the first if not the first DOC and DOCG in Umbria. A truly lovely wine with a bouquet of black fruit with a violet floral background and pepper spice. The palate finds a similar black fruit taste with some ripe red background. The finish is lengthy and concentrated.
Sagrantino di Montefalco
This wine is a bit different than others of the same variety. It seems more accessible and not as aggressive with its tannins. The wine certainly has lots of aging potential and will evolve well but it can be enjoyed without malice right now. This goes for most women who are now enjoying the values of red wine. Most Sagrantinos, especially the young ones, have an aggressive tannin that does require some aging. However, this is not so of this four year old. On the nose it has some nice red fruits and coffee on the nose with a palate that is smooth on the intake and red/black fruit jam taste. The finish is both fresh and persistent.
Off To Perticaia Winery
This winery was opened in 2000. Owner, Guido Guardigli decided to buy in Montefalco and plant 14 hectares of grapes in the village of Gualdo Cattaneo. Guido has the following grape varieties: for Montefalco Rosso he has Sagrantino, Sangiovese, Merlot, Cabernet Fanc and Colorino. In addition to the regular Sagrantino, Montefalco Rosso and Passito di Sagrantino , he also produces Umbria Rosso IGT and Trebbiano Spoletino. In addition to this, there is an olive grove on the premises.
In order for this business to be a success, Claudio had to work very hard and that is why he chose the signature symbol of the plough to be his trade mark. An actual plough is exhibited in the foyer of his winery.
Wines Tasted
Umbria Roso IGT
A dark wine with aromas of Black Cherries and raspberries and a palate that has cherry flavours and an austere finish. (Sangiovese, Merlot, Colorino).
Montefalco Rosso:
Not your normal efforts here since there is a grape variety that is normally exhibited. The grape varieties here are : Sangiovese, Colorino, Sagrantino, Merlot. The wine can be expected to do well depending on what group you were in. On the nose: Berries (wild blueberries, raspberries)! We then turn our heads at the block buster and gave her the envelope,
Sagrantino di Montefalco:
A keeping wine to be cellared for some years depending on the cellar. I would say about maximum development of 10 to 15 years. On the nose it is spicy with pepper and sweet cinnamon. There is ripe red and some black fruit. On the palate the wine is big. Tannins are strong but not aggressive and the wine is well integrated. Again, red and black fruit with spice are noticed. The finish is very long and persistent.
Musical Chairs
After our wine tasting, Christina took us the Bevagna to take pictures of the restaurant 'Redibis'
and then she suggested us filming "the chairs". Both Greg and I wondered what the chairs were and they turned out to be three chairs with the names of the owners on them. They were meant to keep others off and had become somewhat of a celebrity themselves.
Greg interviewed the two owners (one is now deceased) and it was too much not to do a skit concerning me sitting on one of the men's chairs and getting chased off by a cane wielding maniac. It went off great and as Greg Rist usually says, "Simple is the Key". This was done quickly and simply! It came off perfect.
We then visited another very historic and medieval church.
On our way back, we passed the Bastardo sign of a by the same name. The legend has it that a person had moved here from another region and was looked on as an outsider. He wasn't particularly pleasant so he inherited the name----Bastardo or------!! The name stuck and even though there have been movements to change it, the towns people want to keep it as is. It is a good tourist catcher if nothing else.
Christina was a wealth of information and took us to an olive tree which was over 1000 years old. Threes around it ranged from 50 to 600 years in age. Amazing. Finally we went to the Fortress in Bevagna and took some great pictures from it.
Just prior to leaving, we purchased some beer for the evening at Subretia and all was well.
END OF DAY FOUR
posted by Chuck Byers - Wine Consultant | 12:17 AM
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