Azienda Fongoli Sagrantino and Montefalco Rosso Reserva -

When I was researching my trip to Italy, everywhere I read people described Umbria as quiet, remote, difficult to travel to by train, and understated. Next to it's flashy and popular sister Tuscany, I can see why my friend Rachel (pictured here with me) calls Umbria the "New Hampshire of Italy". I found it charming and rustic, stunning and inviting... but then again I feel that way about most of Italy.

Apparently the Etruscans were obsessed with keeping this concept of "living in the shadow" alive, as even the name Umbria derives from ombra meaning shadow. At any rate, Umbria is a land-locked region. It's hugged by Tuscany to the north and west, Le Marche and the Appenine to the east, and Lazio (Rome home) flanks the south. It's literally in the center on Itlay - il cuore verde d'Italia. It is full of medieval hilltop towns like Assissi, Perugia, Spoleto, and Montefalco. The countryside flows with rolling hills dotted with olive groves and vines. Thanks to those rolling hills there is no shortage of micro-climates.

When in Umbs recently, we stayed in the hill topper of Montefalco in a chic hotel right in the central piazza. We found this gem at the recommendation of my friends Brian Dore and Maria Gabrielle Landers, who run a concierge service for personalized experiences in Umbria and all of Italy (http://www.conciergeinumbria.com/). They were awesome - they recommended the hotel and the restaurant (Alchemista, which happened to be the best place we ate on the trip) AND a visit to an amazing winery - FONGOLI!!! http://www.fongoli.com/. Fongoli is not imported to the US at this very moment, but hopefully that will change soon. All the same, we felt like we were getting an amazing personal experience...oh did I mention that we were given a guided tour and tasting by Angelo (grandson) and a 4 course succulent lunch by Anna - his radiant mother (see photos). Toasted bread with their estate's own olive oil, risotto al sagrantino, blueberry crostata. I happily digress...

Angelo and his beautiful wife! Our lovely hosts!

We tasted all of their wines. and I loved them all. The Grechetto (crisp white wine) and their passito of Sagrantino (sweet red wine) were fabulous, but these following two are my preferiti preferiti!! This first one is the signature grape of the area...the reason Montefalco was awarded the DOCG status for this grape --- Sagrantino di Montefalco. Sagrantino is awesome - it is not super super tannic and it has a smooth spiciness. Producers like Fongoli are keeping their Sagrantino true to varietal and true to the region with the perfect balance of rustic-ness, spice, and fruit. The color is rich dark garnet, the aromas are of spicy cranberry, plum and raspberry, and it is velvety and rich on the palate. Everyone in the area will make this same claim - but these grapes are really hand picked (see the picture I took of a bunch of Fongoli's Sagrantino grapes at the top of the page).

The second wine that I love is Fongoli's Rosso di Montefalco Riserva - this is a blend of Sagrantino, Merlot, Sangiovese, and Barbera. First of all - I never even thought that Rosso di Montefalco was a possibility - I've never seen it. Well, the Fongolis are not the only ones who make this - but they do make a fantastico one. You get the richness and the depth from the Sagrantino, the rustic spiciness from the Sangiovese, a smoothness from the Merlot and a ripe cherry fruitiness from the Barbera. On the nose there is a sweet and sour cherry aroma with rich berry fruit, the palate is overflowing with berries and subtle spice and more cherry. It is so full bodied and gorgeous!

The Fongolis were so lovely and unpretentious and welcoming. They really made us feel like we were a part of their family and that was so special...because I've always wanted to be a part of wine-making family. A gal can dream!!!

Some of the wines we enjoyed during our gourmet lunch!

Rachel and me with LA MAMA e Cuoca, Anna