Castello di Montevibiano, Umbria
/SUNDAY (afternoon)
Tasting and Visit to the Castello di Montevibiano Vecchio estate (www.montevibiano.it). A gorgeous afternoon spent in the company of the charming Count Lorenzo Fasola Bologna, the CEO of the family business, and his family…on the sun-drenched grass terrace of the Castello, overlooking the Umbrian hillsides and valleys. There was a table heaving with local cheese and their own olive oil, which his father en freezes in little bottles and then defrosts before downing one in one go, like a daily vitamin shot. Addictive - especially when it drenches a slice of their home-made bread and is accompanied by their Umbrian white. Lorenzo’s Italian/Iranian wife turns out to be a cousin of my step-daughter’s best friend – they met in boarding school days as girls. Weird. They have a very good web-site with all of their wines and olive oils and gift hampers that are sent directly to the UK and USA – with the shipping and duty included in the prices: no hassle.
Villa Monte Vibiano Vecchio Rosso Umbria IGT 2007
Using the youngest plantings from the vineyards, this is meant to be a young, fresh, easy-to-drink wine. Both the alcoholic and the malolactic fermentations are done in stainless steel tanks. It is bottles five months after harvest. It is exactly that: fresh, lively, fruity and approachable.
Monvì 2006, Colli Perugini Rosso DOC
Here they also use the younger plantings, but a bit older than the IGT, of Sangiovese, Syrah, Sagrantino, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Merlot. 80% is aged for six months in stainless steel and 20% in French oak for one year, then bottled for left for another two months before release. This oak programme is exactly right for the fruit: no overpowering, just perfect accord. A lovely, complex, fruity, well-balanced wine. An Italian wine.
L’Andrea 2006, Colli Perugini Rosso DOC
The same grapes are used than as in the Monvi, but those from their oldest vines: more concentrated fruit means it can take a more concentrated oak programme: a minimum of 14 months in French oal barrels, then tanks for 2-3 months, then bottling for six months eofre release. The grapes are hand-harvested and fermented for 20-25 days. Notes of fresh almonds, tobacco, ripe red fruit…an intense and elegant wine.