Montefalco: Traditional Wines with Contemporary Appeal

What is a “contemporary Montefalco wine?” That was the question posed by Italian wine educator, Cristina Mercuri, at a presentation held during Anteprime Montefalco presented by the Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco June 16-18, 2025. Mercuri led attendees, mainly wine journalists, through different flights of blind tastings to challenge our palates. Each flight included an outlier wine that was not from the Montefalco production zone. It was a terrific palate exercise that led us to conclude that a “contemporary” wine is one that speaks to it terroir, offers balanced fruit, acidity, minerality and structure and is not overly extracted or masked by oak. Above all, it is a wine you can sip and savor and enjoy with different types of food.

Montefalco is producing some of the most interesting and food friendly contemporary wines thanks to new generations of family producers with a grip on what contemporary wine drinkers are seeking, yet without losing a grasp on both the cultural and viticultural identity to their territory.

Here are the wines to know when you plan a visit:

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG is the signature powerful, age-worthy red wine made from the Sagrantino grape variety grown exclusively in this area. These full-bodied wines contain some of the highest levels of polyphenols (antioxidants) among red wines. The alcohol volume (ABV) tends to be higher, averaging 15% with a few we tasted hitting 16%. These are wines for longer aging and pairing with braised and grilled meats, steak, lamb and aged cheese.

The Sagrantino variety is also used to make Montefalco Sagrantino Passito DOCG, a sweet yet dry wine. Here the grape clusters are air-dried on racks for at least two months before fermenting the must and skins. These wines historically were consumed with savory dishes like roast lamb and aged cheese rather than considered “dessert” wines. Local vintners call Montefalco Sagrantino Passito a “meditation wine.” They are to be sipped and savored slowly for sure.

Montefalco Rosso DOC is a medium body red wine blended from Sangiovese (60-80%), Sagrantino (10-25%) and other red grapes (maximum 30%). The ABV for these wines tends to average around 13.5%. This style of red wine pairs well with savory fish dishes, roast beef or chicken stuffed pasta and medium-aged cheeses. We enjoyed this wine with the classic local pasta dish, strangozzi al tartufo.

Historically, Montefalco’s reds have been the draw to the region. Since first tasting the Montefalco whites in 2022, we have noticed considerable variances in their styles, and a definite increase in production and quality. Montefalco’s White wines come from two primary grapes: Trebbiano Spoletino (frequently called “Spoletino”) and Grechetto. Local vintners are banking on these aromatic, yet dry wines to attract white wine consumers, think Riesling meets Chardonnay.

Montefalco Bianco DOC is a blend of Trebbiano Spoletino (minimum 50%) and maximum 50% other white varieties. These wines tend to be very aromatic with intense stone and tropical fruit notes and medium acidity. Served chilled and pair with fish dishes, white meat, salumi and starter soups.

Montefalco Grechetto DOC is predominantly Grechetto (minimum 85%), This dry white has more floral, apple and pear notes and higher acidity. A lovely wine for a variety of food options from salads, to fish, chicken and pork dishes.

Montefalco has four key zones for wine production which include numerous subzones. Key zones include: Bevagna, Giano dell’Umbria, Gualdo Cattaneo and Castel Ritaldi. Depending on the location, soil compositions include sand-limestone, alluvial-pebbly, clay-sand and marl-silt. This region of Umbria, being inland from the sea and closer to the Apennine Mountains, has warm summers, cold winters and average rainfalls. It is ideal for cultivating healthy vines, and also for visiting in just about any season. Our three visits have occurred in Autumn, early Spring and June, and each time we found the weather to be pleasant.

We recommend allowing at least five days to enjoy the hilltop town of Montefalco, which has many terrific restaurants and also for exploring the area.

The Consorzio Tutela Vini Montefalco and Umbria Tourism (among other sites) provide helpful information on La Strada del Sagrantino, a hiking and biking route along Route 17. Or you can hire a driver and enjoy tasting wines without getting behind the wheel of a car, which is what we recommend.