Celebrating the wines of La Tuscia
Aug 9, 2009 Beyond Venice, Events & Offerings, Wine for all & all for wine
La Tuscia Viterbese refers to the area surrounding Viterbo where the Etruscans once reigned; today’s communities celebrate their regional DOC and IGT wines with Feste del Vino della Tuscia. They began in late July, but if you’re in the area you still have until the 16th of August to enjoy some of these interesting, and likely lesser known wines along with local fare in a festive atmosphere, al fresco.
The festivals take place in the towns named for the DOCs they celebrate. These wines are light, refreshing and flavorful, with whites vinified from varietals like Aleatico, Trebbiano, Malvasia (more than one type of each), the native Greco, Grechetto; red varietals include Sangiovese, Montepulciano (the grape), Ciliegiolo, and more.
MONTEFIASCONE:
Est! Est!! Est!!! di Montefiascone is a blend of three white varietals . It’s a light and refreshing, vinified in a variety of version from dry to sparkling (also dry). The name (Latin for “It is,” or perhaps Italian for “Ecco”) has a delightful history, read all about it in the last paragraph at LaTuscia.com.
VIGNANELLO
Vignanello is a town and a DOC, produced in the area just east of it. There are four versions are Bianco (one or two Trebbiano varietals, and two different Malvasia), Greco (which is the varietal), Rosso (Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, maybe more), and Rosato (same varietals as the Rosso). You might also find the Greco in a sparkling version, and the Bianco superiore, or at a higher alcohol level due to a particularly mature vintage or other factors.
GRADOLI (only Friday, August 14)
This DOC zone Aleatico di Gradoli is located in the area just north of the Lago di Bolsena. It’s vinified from the Aleatico varietal. Don’t let the “dessert” category throw you however: although it’s not dry, it’s sweetness is balanced, fresh, and certainly worth trying.
You may also spot Tarquinia, Colli Etruschi Viterbesi (a larger DOC zone extending north and south of Viterbo), and even Orvieto, whose zone is shared with Umbria, not to mention IGTs (still regional with fewer restrictions than a DOC wine) such as Lazio, Colli Cimini, and Civitella d’Agliano.
The town festivals include tastings of both wines and local fare, music, wine carriage processions and even a neighborhood palio competition, this Monday night is the Calici di Stelle with tastings under San Lorenzo’s falling stars.
Most events take place in the evening, but also check with any of the tourist offices of the town nearest you for details, don’t to hesitate to call 334 284 2216.
www.tusciaviterbese.it
www.cittadimontefiascone.it
www.prolocovignanello.it (ANSA)
www.viviviterbo.it
Tags: Italy, Lazio, Tuscia, Viterbo, wine, wine festivals, wine for all & all for wine, wine tasting
