Terre de'Trinci
The cooperative of Terre de’ Trinci was founded in 1992 by
growers who desired to ensure quality production by vinifying their
own fruit. Utilizing grapes from over 300 hectares, Terre de’ Trinci’s
production includes the Sagrantino di Montefalco profiled here, as
well as other regional bottlings and blends of indigenous and international
grapes. Credited with producing the original dry Sagrantino, the cooperative
of Terre de’ Trinci works with an artisanal mindset, honoring
the mystique of this ancient and reclusive grape.
This varietal native of Umbria is quite the rarity,
as its production is limited to a mere 400 acres of vineyards. Though
a distinct minority in the varietal population of Umbria, it nevertheless
achieves a formidable presence. In fact, while Sangiovese is the most
prolific of the Umbrian varietals, Umbria’s identity is intimately
connected to Sagrantino, and Sagrantino di Montefalco, a 100 percent
Sagrantino, was accorded DOCG status in the early 1990s.
Sagrantino has enjoyed premier positioning in Umbria for centuries,
conducting an extensive and noted history as a passito wine.
In fact, it was vinified exclusively as a passito wine—serving
as a quintessential accompaniment to the area’s hearty cuisine—until
the early 1970s, when a group of esteemed enologists convened at Terre
de’ Trinci to conduct a series of experiments dedicated to the
vinification of a dry Sagrantino. Among them was agronomist and inspector
of the Agricultural Bureau of Umbria, Dr. Marcello Tassi, who is credited
with introducing the concept of a dry Sagrantino.
Terre de’ Trinci’s current portfolio includes two Sagrantino
bottlings, with the premier expression being its proprietary Ugolino
bottling. While fellow Umbrian producers and Sagrantino specialists
Arnaldo Caprai and Paolo Bea operate at both extremes of the stylistic
spectrum, with the former representing the modern interpretation of
Sagrantino and the latter delivering its earthier dimension, Terre
de’ Trinci occupies ground in the space between, setting the
grape’s black fruits against an intriguing rusticity. The cooperative
also works with Umbria’s premier white, Grechetto, a grape that
offers a particularly effusive aromatic impression.
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