Location and Climate

Central Italy includes iconic wine regions such as Tuscany, Umbria, and Marche. The region benefits from a Mediterranean climate, characterized by warm summers and mild winters, with significant maritime influence from the Tyrrhenian and Adriatic seas. This climate is ideal for growing a variety of grape types.

An outdoor restaurant in Trastevere district in Rome, Italy.

Terroir

Central Italy boasts a diverse terroir, with its rolling hills, clay and limestone soils, and maritime influence. Tuscany’s Chianti region, for instance, is known for its galestro soil, a mix of clay and limestone that is perfect for growing Sangiovese grapes. The elevation of vineyards in this region also plays a crucial role, with higher altitudes providing cooler temperatures that help maintain acidity and freshness in the wines.

Harvest in Central Italy

Notable Wines

• Tuscany: Home to Chianti Classico, Brunello di Montalcino, and the innovative Super Tuscans.
• Umbria: Known for Orvieto, a crisp white wine, and Sagrantino di Montefalco, a bold red wine.
• Marche: Recognized for Verdicchio, a versatile and age-worthy white wine.

Central Italy is a wine lover’s paradise, home to some of the most iconic wines in the world. Tuscany stands at the forefront with its legendary Chianti Classico, made primarily from Sangiovese grapes. This wine is a true symbol of the region’s winemaking tradition, offering vibrant red fruit flavors and earthy undertones. Brunello di Montalcino, also crafted from Sangiovese, takes things to the next level with its bold structure and impressive aging potential. But Tuscany is also known for its daring Super Tuscans, which broke away from traditional rules to create powerful blends featuring international varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon. Meanwhile, Umbria offers a different experience with Orvieto, a crisp white wine that refreshes the palate with its bright acidity, and Sagrantino di Montefalco, a robust red that surprises with its intensity. In Marche, the spotlight shines on Verdicchio, a white wine celebrated for its versatility and ability to age gracefully, making it one of the hidden gems of Central Italy’s winemaking scene.

Chianti, Italy

Grapes

• Tuscany: Sangiovese, Vernaccia, Trebbiano, Cabernet Sauvignon.
• Umbria: Sagrantino, Grechetto, Trebbiano Spoletino.
• Marche: Verdicchio, Montepulciano, Sangiovese.

The grape varieties of Central Italy tell the story of the region’s rich viticultural diversity. In Tuscany, Sangiovese reigns supreme, forming the backbone of the region’s most famous wines. This grape is prized for its ability to express the terroir with elegance and complexity, from the structured Brunellos to the more approachable Chiantis. Vernaccia and Trebbiano also add their own flavors to Tuscany’s wine palette, with Vernaccia di San Gimignano standing out as a crisp, mineral-driven white. In Umbria, the Sagrantino grape is the star of the show, producing some of Italy’s boldest red wines, while Grechetto and Trebbiano Spoletino bring balance with refreshing whites. Marche contributes the vibrant Verdicchio, a white grape known for its versatility and longevity, along with Montepulciano and Sangiovese, which create deep, rich reds. Each grape thrives in its own microclimate, crafting wines that are both distinctive and expressive of the region.

Styles of Wine

• Tuscany: Chianti Classico (Sangiovese), Brunello di Montalcino (Sangiovese), Vernaccia di San Gimignano (white wine).
• Umbria: Sagrantino di Montefalco (robust red), Orvieto (crisp white).
• Marche: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (versatile white), Rosso Conero (Montepulciano-based red).

Central Italy offers a stunning variety of wine styles, with something to suit every palate. In Tuscany, the timeless Chianti Classico, made from Sangiovese, offers a taste of tradition with its fresh acidity and flavors of red cherry and herbs. Brunello di Montalcino, also Sangiovese-based, delivers a more powerful and complex experience, often regarded as one of Italy’s finest reds. Tuscany’s Vernaccia di San Gimignano stands apart as a white wine with crisp minerality and refreshing citrus notes. Umbria’s Sagrantino di Montefalco is a robust red with bold tannins and deep fruit flavors, making it a wine for those who appreciate intensity. On the other hand, Orvieto provides a lighter, crisper white wine that’s perfect for warm days and seafood pairings. Marche shines with Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, a versatile white that can be fresh and zesty or rich and complex with age, while Rosso Conero, a red made from Montepulciano, offers a darker, earthier option. These styles reflect the diversity of Central Italy’s terroir, from cool, high-altitude vineyards to sun-soaked hillsides.

Rome vineyard in Frascati region after early spring rain with vines and olive trees

Unique Terminology

• Tuscany: “Vigna” (vineyard), “Podere” (farm), “Riserva” (aged longer).
• Umbria: “Montefalco” (specific area), “Grechetto” (local white grape).
• Marche: “Classico” (original high-quality production area), “Passito” (sweet wine made from dried grapes).

Understanding the terminology used in Central Italy’s wine regions helps unlock the rich traditions behind each bottle. In Tuscany, the term “Vigna” refers to a specific vineyard, often signifying that the grapes come from a prized location. “Podere” means farm and often denotes smaller, family-run estates where winemaking has been passed down through generations. Wines labeled as “Riserva” have been aged longer, usually indicating higher quality and more complex flavors.

In Umbria, “Montefalco” refers to the specific area where Sagrantino thrives, producing some of the boldest wines in Italy, while “Grechetto” is the local grape that gives Umbrian whites their distinctive flavor.

In Marche, “Classico” denotes the original, high-quality production area for Verdicchio, offering wines with more complexity and depth. The term “Passito” describes sweet wines made from dried grapes, often used in dessert wines that showcase the sweeter side of Central Italy’s winemaking prowess. These terms are the keys to appreciating the centuries-old winemaking traditions of Central Italy. By understanding these terms as you approach these wines will help reveal more of what these wines truly have to offer to us.