Torgiano Rosso Riserva

🇮🇹 Italy

DOCG Rare find

DOCG 1990 - Umbria's first DOCG, Giorgio Lungarotti single-handedly created modern Umbrian wine, 10th Italian DOCG, Rubesco Vigna Monticchio benchmark

Region profile

History

Lungarotti family produced wine and olive oil Mid-Tiber Valley since 18th century. After WWII, Giorgio Lungarotti (1910-1999) consolidated family business, gradually specialized in viticulture. 1950s: managed transition from sharecropping to direct estate management. 1962: first Rubesco and Torre di Giano vintages released. 1964: first Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio - wine that put Umbria on world map. DOC 1968 (Rosso and Bianco di Torgiano among Italy's earliest). 1974: Wine Museum founded with wife Maria Grazia Marchetti Lungarotti. 1987: Lungarotti Foundation created. April 1990: DOCG granted (10th Italy, first Umbria) retroactive to 1983 vintage. 1999: Giorgio passed away; daughters Chiara (CEO) and Teresa took over with mother Maria Grazia, now grandchildren Francesco and Gemma involved.

Climate
Continental with warm summers; central Umbria at confluence of Chiascio and Tiber rivers; medieval town of Torgiano in Perugia province; hilly terrain 200-400m altitude; clay-limestone soils; protected valley position; significant diurnal temperature variation; 250 hectares Lungarotti estate total
Signature wines
Torgiano Rosso Riserva DOCG Rubesco Vigna Monticchio (Lungarotti - benchmark since 1964, single vineyard); ruby/garnet color; cherry, plum, leather, tobacco, dried herbs; elegant tannins from 3+ years aging; ages 10-20+ years; pairs with game, aged pecorino, truffle dishes; 1997 and 2003 vintages particularly acclaimed
What sets it apart
Umbria's FIRST DOCG (1990, 10th Italy); Giorgio Lungarotti (1910-1999) single-handedly created modern Umbrian winemaking; virtually single-estate DOCG (Lungarotti dominates); 1964 Vigna Monticchio put Umbria on world wine map; Wine Museum (Museo del Vino) 1974 one of finest wine museums globally; Olive and Oil Museum adjacent; family continuous since 18th century; one of Italy's earliest DOCs (1968); retroactive DOCG recognition to 1983 vintage acknowledges quality history

Facts

  • DOC 1968 (one of Italy's earliest DOCs, Rosso and Bianco)
  • DOCG April 1990 (10th Italian DOCG, first Umbria, retroactive to 1983 vintage)
  • characteristic long aging required
  • 250 hectares Lungarotti estate (230ha Torgiano VIVA-certified 2018, 20ha Montefalco organic 2010)
  • Wine Museum (Museo del Vino) founded 1974 by Giorgio + Maria Grazia Lungarotti
  • Olive and Oil Museum (MOO)
  • Lungarotti Foundation 1987
  • virtually single-estate DOCG (Lungarotti dominates production)
  • 1962: first Rubesco and Torre di Giano vintages marketed
  • 1964: first Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio (benchmark wine)