“Then the trees said to the vine, ‘Come and be our king.’“But the vine answered, ‘Should I give up my wine, which cheers both gods and humans, to hold sway over the trees?’Judges 9:12-13 (NIV)
After the splendid noon meal in Montefalco, sprinkling rain accompanied us to the Fratelli winery for our education about grapes, making wines and a wine tasting. Our tour guide was the youngest son who is married to a Korean he met picking grapes in Australia.
His family has owned the 27-acre vineyard for 100 years and they still pick the grapes by hand. As he discussed the wine making process, crushing, storing, and bottling, we listened to the rain beat the metal roof.
We were treated to their wines: white and red wine with a unique taste and a delicious dessert wine.
Montefalco wines must have at least 95% Sagrantino grapes to be called Montefalco Rosso. The clay soils, which we had trudged through, are the secret to this varietal Sagrantino grape. It tastes unlike most wines with a hint of blackberry, spices and earthen smoke. It must age for at least 30 months in oaken barrels according to local law. Currently, it has a limited availability outside of Umbria.
Do you prefer red, rose, or white wine? Have you visited the vineyards in your country? Why do people drink wine? Why is wine such a large industry?