The must-sees of the region

To choose your bottle (to put in your suitcase before returning to France), nothing better than to explore the wine regions and their productions. Combining tourism and rurality is a widespread concept in Italy. The turismo enogastronomico, which leads to the discovery of wine in the very places where it is made, at the local producers and in the canteens (estates), is very developed. Umbria and Marche boast a large wine production; in Umbria there are thirteen DOC wines and two DOCGs, and in Marche there are twelve DOC and five DOGC wines. Among the names to remember are Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG (produced on the hillsides of Torgiano, a town in the province of Perugia) and Sagrantino DOCG from Montefalco (50km south of Perugia), also a red wine. In the Marche region, DOCG wines include the red Conero, Offida, the red Vernaccia di Serrapetrona (60 km from the Adriatic Sea in the province of Macerata), the white Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva, and the Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva. Wine and food itineraries will lead you to the discovery of these varieties.

Wine and food itineraries

The Sagrantino route around Montefalco invites you to meet the sagrantino, an ancient grape variety (from the Latin sacer

, sacred wine during Christian festivals, the grape was probably harvested by Franciscan monks). This ruby red wine is known to be dry and tannic. You can continue along the slopes of the Martani mountains, visiting wine-growing areas that have been famous since ancient Rome, and go as far as Castel Ritaldi. This village overlooks a largely agricultural area where vineyards and olive groves shape the landscape. You can taste a dry, fruity, relatively acidic white wine, Trebbiano Spoletino, grown between Spoleto, Foligno and Montefalco.

The Strada del vino Colli del Trasimeno (Trasimeno hills wine route) is full of surprises in terms of taste and flavour! On this itinerary, you will have plenty of time to wander around and stop at places that invite you to taste excellent wines, both at wineries and at farms offering wine tasting. You will also see on your way many agriturismi that offer local cuisine with fresh and seasonal products. The fourth largest lake in Italy, the Trasimeno offers a beautiful resort, and also participates in a microclimate in an area suitable for the cultivation of grapes. This route includes the municipalities of Castiglione del Lago, Città della Pieve, Corciano, Magione, Paciano, Panicale, Passignano sul Trasimeno, Perugia, Piegaro and Tuoro sul Trasimeno. In this area, grapes are grown to produce both white and red wines. Dry (secco), sparkling (frizzante

) white and red wines are to be tasted: we can mention several grape varieties that you will have the opportunity to meet in this area: grechetto, merlot, cabernet sauvignon, gamay, merlot riserva, cabernet sauvignon riserva and gamay riserva

The Strada dei vini del Cantico (Cantico wine route), which connects Todi, Perugia, Torgiano, Spello and Assisi, is famous for its passiti

(sweet wines). Among the typical wines of the area, here are some names you will come across if you choose this itinerary: Torgiano Rosso Riserva, Assisi, Colli Perugini, Torgiano, Colli Martani e Tod. In red wines, you will find Torgiano or Assisi.

Another route, the " Etrusco-Romana"wine route

in the province of Terni, along the Tiber, will take you through the hills, between mountains and valleys. The "Palazzo del Gusto" (palace of taste) in Orvieto, which is part of the regional wine library, is a good starting point for obtaining a lot of information about the wines of this route. The Palazzo Petrignani in Amelia, located in the historical centre of the town, which houses the Academy of Food, will also be a good place to get information. This route leads to DOC quality wine producing areas such as Orvieto, Rosso Orvietano, Lago di Corbara and Colli Amerini. Orvieto Classico is a noble, ancient white, appreciated by the popes; the Tuscan painter of the Florentine school, Luca Signorelli, is even said to have contracted to be supplied with a thousand litres of this wine per year.

The climate inthe Marche region

is also ideal for producing excellent wines. The wines of the Rosso Piceno area at the foot of the Apennines are renowned for their characteristic acidity.

If you are in Jesi, 30 km west of Ancona inland, discover the vineyards of this municipality. Verdicchio dei Castelli de Jesi is a white grape variety whose name derives from verde (green color). It is characterized by a high acidity, which Italians like to drink with antipasti

(starters), fish or pasta dishes.

If you are more of a red wine enthusiast, there are two varieties that will undoubtedly appeal to you. Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG is a sparkling, ruby-coloured wine. It goes well with mature cheeses, goat cheese, as well as meats and salami

(cold cuts). You will have the opportunity to taste this grape variety in the province of Macerata, 50 km south of Ancona and 60 km from the Adriatic Sea, inland, mainly in the municipality of Serrapetrona.

Finally, among the bottles offered in the shops and grocery stores of the Marche, you will find the Conero DOCG appellation (Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes). This dark red wine is produced on the slopes of Mount Conero, in mineral-rich soil. It is best served with red or roasted meat.

You will find a lot of information about the wine routes on the website of the Umbrian tourist office: www.umbriatourism.it. All the addresses of agritourisms are available on the site http://www.stradadelsagrantino.it. Another site, that of the national wine association, is also very well informed: www.cittadelvino.it.