Orvieto

The "Orvieto" Protected Designation of Origin includes the basic version of the white wine of the same name and its variants: Secco, Abboccato, Amabile, Dolce, Superiore, Vendemmia tardiva and Muffa nobile. In addition, the sub-area "Orvieto Classico" is foreseen.

Grapes

For the production of Orvieto wines it is necessary that the grapes come from vineyards that have at least 60% of Trebbiano Toscano (Procanico) and Grechetto vines. For the remaining part (maximum 40%), other similar non-aromatic grape varieties suitable for cultivation in Umbria and in the Province of Viterbo may be used.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The appearance of Orvieto wines, in the basic version (minimum total alcoholic strength by volume 11.5% vol.), is straw yellow, more or less intense; the aroma is delicate and pleasant and accompanies a fine taste, enhanced by a slight bitter aftertaste, with a taste that can be dry, sweet, sweet or semi-sweet. The same organoleptic characteristics also remain in the Superiore variant, which, however, has a slightly higher alcohol content, equal to 12% vol. "Vendemmia tardiva" (minimum total alcoholic strength by volume 13% vol), on the other hand, goes from straw yellow to golden, with a pleasant and fragrant aroma and a sweet and harmonious taste. Finally, in the noble rot (10,50% vol) the aspect is golden yellow, that tends to amber with the aging; the smell is rich, greasy, pleasant, perfumed and elegant while to the palate the wine results sweet, long and of a harmonious softness.

Grape production area

The production area is divided between the south-western part of Umbria and the upper Lazio.

Specificity and historical notes

In Etruscan times, the production area of Orvieto wines hosted the famous city of Velzna, the nerve centre of Etruria. According to historical reconstructions, it was in this period that the first foundations of local viticulture were laid.