A journey through taste
Slip on your wine-glass holder and set off from Perugia towards Todi. In this area, Grechetto, Sangiovese and Trebbiano – also used to make Vin Santo – have been joined in recent decades by international grape varieties such as Pinot Grigio, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot.
An essential stop is Torgiano, a small village that developed around a medieval castle, of which only a few sections of wall and a tower remain. In the world of wine, Torgiano is synonymous with outstanding Sangiovese, the grape at the heart of one of Italy’s first DOCG wines. Don’t miss the MUVIT – Wine Museum, described by the New York Times as the best wine-themed museum in Italy, followed by a visit to the nearby MOO – Olive Tree and Olive Oil Museum. If you have time, make a slightly off-topic – but not entirely – detour to the Museum of Contemporary Ceramic Art and its permanent exhibition “Vaselle d’Autore”, dedicated to vessels for vino novello.
If hunger strikes, try tagliatelle with chicken giblets and rabbit alla cacciatora, accompanied by torta al testo and wild greens. As for wine, choose a red from Torgiano or one of the DOC wines from Assisi, Colli Perugini or Colli Martani.
Spend the afternoon strolling through the medieval village of Monte Castello di Vibio, where you can visit the Concordia Theatre, known as “the smallest theatre in the world”.
Continue towards Todi, a city of Etruscan origins. It stands on two hills that have long formed a natural boundary for those crossing the Tiber Valley, hence the Etruscan name Tuder, meaning “border”. Set in one of the region’s most evocative landscapes, this beautiful town has a distinctly medieval historic centre and boasts religious and civic buildings of great importance. As you explore the town, don’t miss the Church of Santa Maria della Consolazione, the monument to Jacopone da Todi, the Church of San Fortunato, the municipal palaces and the Cathedral of Santa Maria Annunziata.
Here the star is grechetto doc, historically grown in the variety known as "Todi". The land and local climate suit white grapes, although there are some red wines made from sangiovese and merlot.
