📍 Orvieto

Orvieto is a town in Umbria, central Italy, perched on a volcanic tuff rock, and also the wine zone around it. Orvieto belongs to Umbria, although the zone reaches into neighbouring Lazio. Caves and cellars are cut into the rock beneath the town, where wine was stored for centuries.

The main product is the white Orvieto DOC. It is made mainly from Grechetto and Trebbiano (locally called Procanico), with other grapes added. The wine is usually pale and fresh, with notes of apple and almond. The Classico area lies closer to the town and is considered the oldest.

Orvieto used to be known for sweet wine: humid autumn mists encourage noble rot on the grapes, and such grapes make sweet wines. Today the dry style prevails.

Besides whites, the area makes reds: Rosso Orvietano and wines from Lake Corbara (Lago di Corbara DOC). The border of Lazio and Umbria runs nearby, and Lake Bolsena and the hills of Perugia lie not far from the town. Orvieto Classico pairs well with fish, light appetisers and pasta with vegetables, and a chilled young wine is the simplest summer choice.