Italy’s Green Heart - A Tasting of Umbria

“Il Cuore Verde D’Italia”: Umbria is often referred to as Italy’s “Green Heart”.  Being the fourth smallest Italian region, landlocked between Tuscany to the Northwest, Le Marche to the East and Lazio and Abruzzo to the South, Umbria is often overlooked.  The expansive Umbrian Valley is split by the mighty Tiber that rushes towards Rome.  The Appennini Mountains cut the landscape leading to Italy’s largest central lake, Lago di Trasimano.  A multitude of ancient villages dot the hilltops: Perugia, Assisi, Bettona, Torgiano and the looming Montefalco.  The towns are surrounded by Central Italy’s sleeper region for wine and olive oil, not to mention tartufi!  From the mineral driven Orvieto Classico Bianchi to the earthy and rustic powerhouses of the cult favorite: Sagrantino, a specialty found only here. Read on…