Tre Bicchieri 2024, Umbria's best wines awarded by Gambero Rosso

Umbria's Tre Bicchieri 2024

Umbria's Tre Bicchieri 2024. Sagrantino and the other souls of Montefalco

Umbria may be a small region, but it's a bastion of remarkable wines, a fact evident in its offerings. Though it only accounts for about 13,000 hectares of vineyards (less than 2% nationally), considering its grape varieties, appellations, the presence of lakes, flatlands, and high elevations, its richness transcends mere statistics. Some areas have indeed evolved into esteemed wine-producing territories, setting standards not just locally but further afield. The region proudly boasts 17 Tre Bicchieri awards, a genuine record for Umbria. We start with Montefalco, a charming village where wine tourism thrives beyond just the summer season. Through its namesake appellation, it bottles wines that are authentic, charismatic, and notably diverse. Sagrantino, year after year, is proving increasingly compelling. Its trajectory has been spot on, with this robust, tannic, and structured red now impressing with its finesse and drinkability. Earning six Tre Bicchieri awards is no doubt an exceptional achievement. But there's more to Montefalco: Montefalco Rosso, predominantly made from sangiovese grapes, is an accessible, uncomplicated wine, but far from ordinary. Montefalco Grechetto features the grape indigenous to central Italy, while Montefalco Bianco is a blend in which trebbiano spoletino constitutes at least 50%. The latter stars in the Spoleto DOC, showcasing remarkable style, a testament not just to its producers, but also to the commendable endeavors of the consortium.

Umbria's Tre Bicchieri 2024. Orvieto e Torgiano

Shifting to the whites, we move on to Orvieto. The message, echoed by award recipients and others, is clear: these wines possess undeniable aging potential, a strength the appellation should emphasize even more. Back to the reds, notable mentions include the great work being done with ciliegiolo and gamay del Trasimeno. We finish with sangiovese, the backbone of Torgiano's viticulture. This tiny DOC offers a select few but outstanding wines, from the renowned Vigna Monticchio, which introduced Umbrian wines to the world, to Freccia degli Scacchi. The latter hails from Terre Margaritelli, an estate that, given its important work, wins our Sustainability Award. Crucially, for the second year in a row, this honor goes to Umbria, a feat that sends an encouraging signal.