14/04/2018
Hello wine Italian dreamer today I want introduce you a secret escape in Italy, called Montefalco.
Montefalco, land of art, oil and wine, is one of the most amazing “borghi” not only of Umbria, but of the entire Italy. But what is a “borgo”? The literal translation would be “village”, that is not so correct: a “borgo” is a fascinating small Italian town, generally fortified and dating back to the period from the Middle Ages to the Renaissance. Montefalco is famous for his beautiful monuments and architectures, perfectly conserved since the Middle Ages, and for his typical products: Sagrantino, is, without any doubt, the best and the most well-known. The Sagrantino wine is one of the better esteemed wine of Italy, which production is only agreed for the 5 municipalities (Montefalco, Bevagna, Gualdo Cattaneo, Castel Ritaldi e Giano dell’Umbria) that are part of the celebrated Eno gastronomic itinerary called “La strada del Sagrantino” (translated: Sagrantino’s route).
Sagrantino’s production involves 2 styles of production: Secco (dry) and Passito (sweet wine), both subjected on an ageing process of, at least, 33 moths. What about Secco’s style, for 12 months of the 33 prevued, it must rest in oak barrels. This kind of wine is produced with a unique accuracy, and, in addition to the long ageing process, Sagrantino wine should still rest in bottles for at least 4 months, before it could be consumed.
Sagrantino’s grapes are, usually, collect between the end of September and the second half of October and in the same period you can take part in a town festival, called “Festa della Vendemmia”, where the leading role is played by the inimitable Sagrantino, but also by the town’s habitants and all the tourists came to celebrate such a great period of the wine culture and production. The habitants create some allegorical wagons, on which they show people how wine and other typical products are made: these wagons parade all around the town and they stop themselves in the major square, the Municipality Square. In an amazing rural atmosphere, habitants and tourists would appreciate the great taste of Sagrantino, other local wines and typical products (like oil and salami).
There are also other festivals that concern Sagrantino and local traditions: we can talk about “Cantine Aperte” (translated: Open Winery), a week-end of the end of May in which all the winery are open to the public (habitants and tourists); you can taste the entire variety of wines, particularly Sagrantino, produced by a winery, and you can party together with the owners drinking, eating and dancing. Another important festival, the most important for the town of Montefalco, is the “Agosto
What I can say more? Enjoy in our wine tour … www.italycharme.com
