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CLICK HERE FOR ALL THE WINES OF THIS REGION
Geography: Chianti from Tuscany dominates the region in wine terms. Tuscany also has the merit of being fabulously picturesque, with iconic villas and cypress trees atop rolling hills enough to feed any Italian fantasy. Further east Umbria, known as the 'green heart of Italy', is much greener, hillier and even mountainous. Further east still the Marche borders with Umbria in its mountainous middle and then slowly descends through hills to the Adriatic shore.Lazio (or 'Latium') is the region surrounding Rome and features predominantly gently undulating hills with more mountainous terrain to the south and east of the capital.
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Key Wine Styles: Wonderful ageable reds from Chianti and other Sangiovese-based wines in region as well as more approachable light reds. Full, powerful reds from both the Marche and Umbria. Superb dry white from the Verdicchio grape in the Marche as well as approachable whites from Frascati in Lazio and Orvieto in Umbria.
Key Grape Varieties and their wines: Sangiovese is at the heart of Chianti, as well as the prestigious and smaller DOCG's of Brunello di Montalcino, Carmignano and Vino Nobile di Montepulciano (Montepulciano here being a place and not the grape of the same name). Sangiovese is blended with the Montepulciano grape in the Marche to make Rosso Piceno in the rural land around the quaint old town of Ascoli Piceno, while Montepulciano (almost) alone goes to make up Rosso Conero from the dramatic Conero peninsula on the Adriatic near Ancona. Both are full bodied, fairly powerful reds. Verdicchio is the Marche's signature indigenous white grape, produced near the town of Castelli di Jesi to the west of Ancona. Umbria produces the powerful reds of Torgiano (mainly Sangiovese) and the very full and tannic Sagrantino di Montefalco, made from the local Sagrantino grape. It also produces dry white Orvieto from the hilltop town of the same name from a blend including Trebbiano, Malvasia and Grechetto. Frascati, just south of Rome, produces a quaffable dry white from Trebbiano and Malvasia.
Matt's 'ust-Trys' from this region: Wines from Verdicchio can be exquisite. Try ours from Adolfo Cifola, made in the higher quality Matelica region in the hills above the Adriatic. Also for a commandingly good Chianti it is very hard indeed to beat the well known Fontodi estate.
CLICK HERE MATT's 'MUST TRY's' FROM THIS REGION
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