**The Town of Orvieto.** *Photo: Summerintaly.com*

With warm weather just around the corner, it’s a good time to add to your portfolio of light-bodied, refreshing white wines that are perfect as summertime sippers. Orvieto is one of them. Located in Umbria, about halfway between Florence and Rome, the Orvieto wine region gets its name from the enchanting medieval hilltop town of the same name. Orvieto is known for its dry white wines, made from a blend of mostly (at least 60%) Grechetto di Orvieto, Grechetto di Todi and Procanico, the local name for Trebbiano Toscano. There are also several other white grape varieties like Verdello, Vermentino, and Chardonnay that can be used in the blend.

Historically Orvieto was revered for its sweet wines. During the Middle Ages, the city of Orvieto became one of the many papal properties, and sweet Orvieto wine was popular amongst Popes. Centuries later, it became a favorite of noble Roman families who would vacation at the local lakes.

Today, Orvieto wine is mostly dry with only a small percentage of botrytized and late harvest sweet wines still produced. Orvieto is made under the DOCs of Orvieto and Orvieto Classico, with the latter’s vineyards located in the original, small, central Orvieto zone. Orvieto Classico wines are considered the top wines of the region.

Orvieto is typically fruity and flowery, light and crisp, and with a distinct saline minerality due to its unique geological history. Millions of years ago the region was a bed under the Mediterranean Sea (you can still see shells and fossils in the chalky limestone soils called tufa) and the wines typically display a notable mineral quality, especially salinity.

Depending on the precise amount of each grape used (Grechetto adds a bit of weight, for example) as well as the vinification techniques, Orvieto can range from lean to a bit rounder, but never heavy. Oftentimes you will find hints of citrus fruits, golden apple and almond in the wines.

*Recipe for spice-rubbed pork tenderloin* here.
*Image: LIsa Denning*

Being light and fresh, dry Orvieto makes a perfect aperitif wine served with light bites like crostini with roasted tomatoes, marinated mushrooms and mild cheeses like mozzarella. The wines can also pair well with the main course, especially seafood and lighter meat (chicken and pork) dishes. Sweet Orvieto wines, not as easy to find, pair beautifully with cheeses and desserts like apple cinnamon cake or salted caramel ice cream.

I wasn’t very familiar with Orvieto wines so I jumped at the chance to sample them when the Consorzio Tutela a Vini di Orvieto offered to send them for a Twitter chat with #ItalianFWT.

Following are my notes about the tasty Ovieto wines that were delivered to my doorstep. And scroll down to see what my fellow wine writers have to say about these delightful wines.

Castel Noha Il Dialogo Orvieto 2019. Light, simple, dry and refreshing, with an intriguing salinity. This one would be perfectly refreshing poolside on a hot summer day, or served as the aperitif wine during an outdoor barbecue.

Paolo e Noemia d’Amico Noe dei Calanchi Orvieto 2021. Very fragrant, like a fruit salad of peaches, apples, melon and grapefruit. On the palate, crisp and bright with balanced acidity and subtle fruity flavors, finishing with a pleasant wet-stone mineral bitterness that tamed the fruitiness.

Cantine Monrubio Papabile Orvieto Classico Superiore 2020. Fruity (apples, pineapple, melon, grapefruit with hints of almonds and a nice mineral salinity and a mouthwatering acidity. I paired this wine with a roast pork tenderloin that was rubbed with smoked paprika, ground cumin, dried oregano, garlic powder and cinnamon. (See recipe here.)

Cantina Cardèto Donna Armida Orvieto Classico Superiore Vendemmia Tardiva 2020. With its delightful touch of honey, almonds and candied lemon on the nose, this lightly sweet, medium-bodied wine (a Late Harvest) pairs well with crème brulée and caramel gelato with candied pecans, as well as with a selection of not too pungent cheeses. The finish is long and delicious.

Here’s what my fellow wine writers have to say about Orvieto wines, and join us on Twitter, Saturday May 7th at 11:00 AM EST, using the hashtag #ItalianFWT.

Jen (our host) at Vino Travels will be highlighting “Orvieto, Italy’s Classic White Wine.”
Wendy from A Day in the Life on the Farm will be sharing “Umbrian Red Wine Spaghetti and a Book Review."
Liz at What‘s In That Bottle is wondering “Why Aren’t we all Drinking more Orvieto?”
Robin at Crushed Grape Chronicles will be writing about “Orvieto - the multifaceted white wine of Umbria."
Lynn at Savor the Harvest will be focusing on “Appreciating an Ancient Italian Wine Made For Today’s Palate.”
Camilla at The Culinary Adventures of Camilla is “Celebrating Spring with Vignole + 2020 Barberani Castagnolo Orvieto Classico Superiore."
Lisa at The Wine Chef is pairing “Umbria’s Famous White Wine, Paired With Spiced Pork Tenderloin.”
Nicole at The Somm's Table will be featuring “Easy Springtime Dinners with Orvieto."
Pinny at Chinese Food & Wine Pairings is uncovering “Orvieto White Wines - Hidden Treasures From Umbria.”
Linda at My Full Wine Glass is writing about “White wines from the heart of Central Italy.”
Susannah at Avvinare will be “Getting reacquainted with an old friend: Orvieto Wines.”
Rupal at Syrah Queen is sharing "The Soulful and Unique Wines of Orvieto."
Gwendolyn at Wine Predator...Gwendolyn Alley is aiming to "Discover the Green Heart of Italy: Orvieto DOC in Umbria."
Terri at Our Good Life is pairing "Slow Cooker Short Ribs and Elicius Orvietano Rosso: A Match Made in the Heavenly Stars."