From a luscious red to a long-lasting white, the “made in Umbria” tips for holiday toasts
Torgiano, November 2023 – Christmas is tradition, especially at the table. In every part of the world, holiday menus are a succession of iconic, must-have dishes, without which it isn’t Christmas. And the wine? Lungarotti, the historic Umbrian company proposes directly from the “green heart” of Italy, San Giorgio, a red that embodies tradition, and Aurente, a white with great character.
San Giorgio Umbria IGT Rosso 2018
A blend of Sangiovese and Cabernet Sauvignon in equal parts, this is a wine with ample structure, fruity aromas, notes of blackcurrent, blueberry and intriguing plum coulis, elegant nuances of cinnamon and cocoa and a balsamic background. The label depicts Saint George and the dragon, a preparatory sketch for Raphael’s famous painting, in homage to the traditional feast of the Saint on April 23rd celebrated in Torgiano when, still today, propitiatory bonfires are lit in the vineyards using pruning cuttings. Created in 1977 by Giorgio Lungarotti, a visionary who introduced Cabernet Sauvignon to Umbria already in the 1960s and was among the first in Italy to use it in blends with Sangiovese, demonstrating that the Torgiano terroir was and is stronger than the vine’s character – San Giorgio is a red with great structure, ripe, enveloping tannins and a long-lasting, lingering finish.
Aurente – Chardonnay di Torgiano DOC 2019
A white of great intensity, produced exclusively with Chardonnay grapes, Aurente has a strong and sunny temperament accompanied by an unusual freshness for a Chardonnay from Central Italy. The peculiarities of the soil, combined with careful grape selection carried out in the vineyard result in reaching the harvest in a perfect balance between sugar maturation and the fruit’s elegant acidity, key factors for the long aging potential of Aurente.
Two great classics from the Italian wine panorama that will make your celebrations special.
LUNGAROTTI
A symbol of Umbrian enological excellence, Lungarotti has contributed to writing the history of Italian wine in the world. A story that began with Giorgio Lungarotti, a pioneer of modern Italian enology who transformed the family agricultural company, in Torgiano, into a successful winery after the war. A story that still continues today thanks to the commitment, passion and expertise of 3 generations of the Lungarotti family who have been able to innovate without betraying the unmistakable character of iconic wines such as Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio – Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG, considered among the best Italian reds, and Rubesco – Rosso di Torgiano DOC. Lungarotti has a total of 250 hectares of vineyards, spread between the Torgiano Estate (230 ha, certified VIVA since 2018) and the Montefalco Estate (20 ha, certified organic since 2014), where a viticulture attentive to sustainability and biodiversity is practised. The company’s pillars also include the promotion of quality wine tourism and the promotion of the culture of wine, oil and artistic heritage through the Wine Museum (MUVIT) and the Olive and Oil Museum (MOO) in Torgiano. www.lungarotti.it
