Umbria Wine

Umbria grows both native and international grape varieties. Sagrantino is the region’s most distinctive red grape, especially around Montefalco. Sangiovese is important for blends and DOC wines, while Grechetto, Trebbiano, and Verdello are key white grapes, especially in Orvieto and other Umbrian white wines.

For visitors, the easiest way to understand Umbria wine is to connect grape names with place names. Sagrantino points toward Montefalco. Orvieto points toward white blends based on grapes such as Grechetto, Trebbiano, and Verdello. Torgiano and Montefalco Rosso often bring Sangiovese into the picture.

Red Grapes

Umbria’s flagship red grape, native to Montefalco. Known for its deep color, powerful tannins, and complex flavors of blackberry, spice, and cocoa. Used in Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG and Passito wines.

An international variety that adapts well to Umbria’s climate. Adds softness, dark fruit flavors, and body to blends—especially in IGP and DOC wines.

Though more common in northern Italy, Barbera is grown in Umbria as a blending grape. It offers high acidity, juicy red fruit, and a bright finish.

White Grapes

A key white grape in Umbria, prized for its texture and nutty, stone-fruit flavors. Found in Orvieto, Todi, and Montefalco DOC wines. Often vinified solo or in blends.

Umbria’s official wine designations include DOCG, DOC, and IGP categories. These labels help identify where a wine comes from and which production rules apply, but producer, vintage, grape blend, and style still matter when choosing a bottle.

DOCG wines

Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG is made from Sagrantino, a deeply colored red grape associated with the Montefalco area. The wines are usually structured, tannic, and suited to longer aging. A passito version is also produced.

More details on vineyard zones, regulations, and producers are available from the Montefalco Sagrantino wine consortium.

Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG is a red wine from the Torgiano area near Perugia. It is based largely on Sangiovese and usually includes other permitted red grapes. The style is more useful to compare with central Italian Sangiovese-based wines than with Sagrantino.

DOC Wines

A small appellation near Terni producing both red and white wines, often with lively acidity and fresh red-fruit flavors.

Includes full-bodied whites and reds; known for white blends featuring Grechetto and Trebbiano and crisp, aromatic profiles.

Covers hilly vineyards north of Perugia; versatile red, rosé, and white wines showcasing regional grapes like Sangiovese and Grechetto.

Encompasses vineyards on Lake Trasimeno’s shores; includes delicate, fruit-forward whites and elegant reds.

Known for both red and white wines, particularly Grechetto di Todi whites and the sweet red Vernaccia Passito.

Produces red, rosé, and white wines around Perugia; typically fresh and easy-drinking.

Based around Corbara Lake near Terni; offers refreshing white, rosé, and red wines from local and international grapes.

Produces both red and white wines, with reds based on Sangiovese and Sagrantino, and whites on Grechetto and Trebbiano.

Umbria’s largest white appellation, known for crisp, citrus-driven wines using Trebbiano, Grechetto, Verdello, and Malvasia on volcanic soils.

You can explore maps, styles, and producer listings on the official Orvieto DOC wine consortium website.

A lesser-known red expression from the Orvieto area, often blending Sangiovese and other local reds.

Wines from Spoleto around Perugia, including fresh whites and medium-bodied reds .

Covers wines made in Todi and nearby towns; includes straw-yellow whites and rubin-red medium-bodied reds.

Hilly appellation near Perugia; known for balanced wines made from Sangiovese and Grechetto, precursor to DOCG status.

IGP Areas

Umbria has several IGP (Indicazione Geografica Protetta) zones, including Allerona, Bettona, Cannara, Narni, Spello, and the regional Umbria IGP. These designations allow producers more flexibility than DOC/DOCG wines, often blending local and international grapes. Most IGP wines from the region—whether white, red, or rosé—are labeled simply as Umbria IGP, which is used across the entire region for accessible, everyday wines.