Orvieto

The beautiful medieval city of Orvieto, with its green, hilly presence along the Paglia River, takes its name from Umbria's most famous wine. Built on a plateau of volcanic tuff, which as a natural fortress par excellence was already inhabited in Etruscan times, the town overlooks landscapes with vineyards. His star is powered by volume; Orvieto accounts for 80% of the region's vineyard plantings.

The main wine feature at play is tuff (think Greco di Tufo), a type of porous limestone soil believed to play a large part in Orvieto's fresh mineral character. Equipped with a full-bodied expression of at least 60% Trebbiano and/or Grechetto and 40% Malvasia, Verdelho and/or other local varieties, Orvieto wines can range from sweet to completely dry. There's also the Muffa Nobile style, which is exposed to botrytis for a syrupy, honey-like consistency. In addition, the region is home to a Vendemmia Tardiva (late harvest) style, where the grapes must be picked after October 1st of the vintage year.

80% of Orvieto comes from the 'Classico' area (the heart of the appellation). There are also Orvieto Superiore (like Antinori) and these wines have a bit more body. Often a bit more of the characteristic grechetto than the more common trebbiano is used, which provides more structure and taste.