In Partnership with Eataly, Sagrantino Month Serves as the Centerpiece of Multi-Year Campaign to Support Growing Popularity of Umbria’s Signature Wines
New York, NY, October 11, 2016 – The Montefalco Consortium, the entity that oversees the historic Montefalco wine producing region of Italy, announces its fifth annual Sagrantino Month to be held this November. Montefalco, a region in Umbria regarded for distinctive winemaking, will be showcasing the wines of nine producers, as well as introducing new initiatives as part of a multi-week program created to educate consumers, press and trade.
Amilcare Pambuffetti, President of the Montefalco Consortium, stated, “Sagrantino will come to America once again thanks to this exciting promotion. The tour will begin in Canada with events in Toronto and Montreal, and will arrive in the US on November 7th, with stops San Francisco, Chicago, and New York. This is not just a tour, but an important series of events that will help us to increase exports of the wines of Montefalco and to make trade and consumers alike fall in love with Sagrantino.” He went on the say that “We strongly believe in this project, which continues to help spread the word about Montefalco and Sagrantino throughout the world.”
The US events will kick off on November 7th with a week of tastings and seminars, all with the theme Savoring Sagrantino: Discover Umbria’s Indigenous Varieties. Beginning on Friday, November 11th, consumer tastings will be held at two Eataly wine shop locations, the Flatiron district in New York City and in Chicago, and will continue through the first week of December. All are welcome to taste the essence of Umbria through the indigenous varieties from which winemakers produce these exemplary wines.
In addition to tastings open to the public, the promotion will include seminars for press and trade and wine-by-the-glass programs at all of Eataly’s restaurants. Eataly’s diligence in familiarizing American consumers with authentic Italian cuisine and the Montefalco Consortium’s commitment to excellence in Umbrian wines is a natural partnership for Sagrantino Month.
The high quality of these wines can be attributed to a long history of perfecting the art of winemaking. The name ‘Sagrantino’ comes from the word ‘Sacrament’ as the grape was cultivated by monks during medieval times to produce a sweet wine used for religious rites. The Sagrantino variety thrives only on the hills of Montefalco and its surrounding area, where the indigenous grape achieves its highest expression. Montefalco white varieties such as Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino are also indigenous to Umbria and are enjoying increased popularity as winemakers in the region focus on making excellent wines from native grapes.
In addition to events at Eataly, consumer dinners will be held at participating restaurants in: San Francisco (54 Mint, La Ciccia, Chiaroscoro, A 16, Milano, Ideale Ristorante); Chicago (The Charlatan, Piccolo Sogno, Balena); and New York (Aurora Soho, Emporio NY, Peasant NY, Il Buco, Il Buco Alimentari & Vineria, Tarallucci e Vino, Obicà NY Flatiron) featuring the wines of Montefalco and offering traditional Italian fare to be paired with each wine variety. Winemakers will be present at select dinners to discuss the wines.
Nine wineries will participate in Sagrantino Month: Antonelli San Marco, Arnaldo Caprai, Viticoltori Colpetrone, Perticaia, Scacciadiavoli, Tabarrini, Tenuta Castelbuono Lunelli, Terre de la Custodia, Viticoltori Broccatelli Galli.
Stay tuned for updates on specific events by visiting the Montefalco Consortium Facebook page and website. A full consumer tasting schedule is available online at Eataly NYC Flatiron and Eataly Chicago.
