WINE TASTING NOTE: 2019 Lungarotti Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano
In a sea of Italian wines, most of which are really good, it can be hard to pick out what is distinctive and why….especially at a more affordable price point.
The reason for this is simple. The wines we tend to see and tend to buy on a whim for a casual weeknight meal also tend to be wines that are mass produced and not actually all that distinctive to begin with.
One wine can often easily be swapped for another and no one would notice. Think about it. A Chianti is a Chianti is a Chianti, right?
While this isn’t universally true, it can definitely seem to be sometimes. Stare at an aisle full of wines and your eyes can start to blurb and decision making can become challenging.
This is why we like to try, and then recommend (if we feel it makes sense) cool and interesting wines here at Wineitupanotch. We also love helping you understand what makes them unique in some way.
The 2019 Lungarotti Rubesco Rosso di Torgiano is a Sangiovese dominant wine (with a bit of Colorino thrown in for fun), but with a twist. It has historical significance and is made by a benchmark producer. This wine has been produced since the 1960s and hails from Umbria in Italy. Umbria is a region that deserves more attention than it tends to receive on the global stage, in our view.
FUN FACT: “Rosso di Torgiano” means “Rosso of Torgiano”. In this instance, Torgiano is the appellation within the province of Umbria from where this wine hails. The area that is permitted to produce Torgiano wines is actually relatively small at less than 50 hectares!
About the producer
Lungarotti is a family owned winery, established in the 1960s as an evolution from a family estate that was involved first in share cropping and then on the cultivation of a range of agricultural crops, to a sole focus on viticulture. The Lungarotti name is an important one in the history of modern day Umbrian winemaking. Today, the company is led by three strong women, which we love.
Wineitupanotch Tasting Notes
This wine is bright and satisfying, with a crunchy red fruit profile that is supplemented by hints of violets and roses, black pepper, black tea and tobacco. It has pleasant acidity and fine but grippy tannins which create a sense of structure and presence in spite of its overall approachable nature.
Wine it up a notch by pairing this wine with pasta, pizza or meatballs and garlic bread. It’s perfect for a casual weeknight meal!
Cheers, Friends!