# Montefalco Rosso (2020)

- **Producer:** Cantina Fongoli
- **Colour:** red
- **Type:** still
- **Grapes:** Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Montepulciano, Merlot
- **Region:** Umbria, Italy
- **Style:** Natural
- **Alcohol:** 13.5%
- **Average price:** €15
- **Vegan:** Yes
- **Contains sulphites:** Yes
- **When to drink:** Now or Later
- **Serving temperature:** 16–18 °C
- **Aromas & flavours:** cherry, plum, raspberry, black pepper, violet, cedar, smoke, leather, forest floor, wet leaves, game, mushroom

## About this wine

Cantina Fongoli is one of Umbria's oldest family-run estates, established in 1923 in Montefalco. In the early 2010s, fourth-generation winemaker Angelo Fongoli and his wife Letizia transitioned the estate to biodynamic and natural viticulture. They focus on preserving historic Umbrian traditions, crafting deeply territorial, rustic, and authentic wines without synthetic chemicals.

## Interesting facts

- Established in 1923, Cantina Fongoli is one of the oldest family-run estates in Umbria's Montefalco region.
- The estate transitioned to fully certified organic farming in 2013 and practices strict biodynamic viticulture.
- Fongoli avoids modern oak influences, aging this wine in large, neutral Slavonian oak casks that are at least 10 years old.

## Food pairing

This rustic Umbrian red thrives alongside rich, savory, and fatty dishes. The high acidity cuts through rich fats, while the robust tannin structure of Sagrantino and Sangiovese demands protein-rich meats or aged cheeses to soften its grip on the palate.

## Wine making process

Grapes are hand-harvested and fermented spontaneously with indigenous yeasts in stainless steel vats without temperature control. The wine undergoes a 10-day skin maceration before gentle pressing. It is aged for at least 18 months in large, neutral Slavonian oak casks and 6 months in bottle. The wine is bottled unfiltered and unfined with minimal sulfur additions.