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Italy
has a green heart, Umbria.
Discover
this region in all its versatility: nature, culture and especially the tasty traditional Umbrian dishes which are
excellent to combine
with the delicious local wines. The Umbrian's have been cultivating
grapes since Etruscan times, but it is especially in the last ten years that
the wine producers have been reaping such excellent results. Who hasn't heard of
the renowned white wine Orvieto Classico ? Lately two other great red
wines have come into the limelight: the Torgiano Rosso Riserva and the
Sagrantino of Montefalco, which is produced in a dry and sweet version. During
this trip you can make acquaintance with these very special red wines.
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Programme
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Sunday
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Your
hotel is situated in a beautiful location in the hills behind the medieval
town of Bevagna. In this hilly landscape at 600 metres above sea-level, its
property extends over 406 hectares. Olive groves and woodland are a characteristic
of this area, which has a rich historical and religious heritage. From the
villa you have a beautiful view over the valley of Spoleto with its medieval
towns such as Assisi, Spello, Montefalco and Perugia. Here, far from the busy
pace of daily life, you can relax in the swimming
pool, play tennis or ping pong, or retreat to the quietness of the library. Walking or riding in the
woods is a perfect way to enjoy this beautiful Umbrian landscape
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Evening
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In
the evening, in the restaurant of the hotel you will enjoy tipical traditional Umbrian cooking
combined with the excellent local and Italian wines.
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Monday
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Morning
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After
breakfast you could first visit the centre of Bevagna, with its beautiful medieval
square, or
you can go immediately to Torgiano,
which is situated on a hilltop surrounded by vineyards. This part of Umbria
produces the d.o.c.g. wine Torgiano
Rosso Riserva. The interesting wine-museum of
the winegrowing Lungarotti family is certainly worthwhile to visit. Here an exhibition explains the history
of wine-making and there is a remarkable collection of ceramics from ancient to modern times. At the end of the morning you will be
a guest in the 'osteria' of Lungarotti, which is situated next to the wine
museum. Here you will taste
the
excellent wines of the Linea Riserva.
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Afternoon
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A
stay in Umbria is not complete without a saunter along the atmospheric little medieval streets and squares of Assisi. Around noon an appointment is
made for a
wine-tasting of the Assisi d.o.c. wines.
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Evening
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You will dine in a very special restaurant, Piazza
Onofri, in Bevagna. The restaurant is situated in a restored
12th century olive oil mill. Every course is combined with an Italian wine. The
menu is changed every two weeks: they made a choice from the restaurants menu, which
includes exciting recipes like:
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Speck d'oca affumicato con insalatina e mele caramellate
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Zuppa
di Lenticchie
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Mezzalune
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Strangozzi con Tartufo nero
*Anatra
farcita alle erbe con salsa al vino rosso.
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Tuesday
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Morning
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After
breakfast you drive to Foligno, where you will visit the olive oil mill 'Il
Frantoio' and taste a
bruschetta with their
excellent olive oil.
Afterwards
you could make the short walk -you will find a detailed description in your travel
documents- through the beautiful Sagrantino landscape in the surroundings of
Montefalco. This walk starts and ends in the little town of Fabbri.
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Afternoon
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Visiting Montefalco is not complete without a
break to taste the wines of Arnaldo Caprai. At lunchtime you
will be welcomed with a glass of his delicious Sagrantino and
Rosso di Montefalco in the wine bar of
S.Francesco,
both combined with some typical Umbrian snacks.
It
is worthwhile making a cultural stop in the museum of Montefalco. Here you can
admire the beautiful fresco's of famous painters such as Benozzo Gozzoli
and il Perugino, Raphael's teacher.
At
the end of the afternoon the hotel will organise a tasting of their wines, which
come from their vineyards near Montefalco: the fresh fruity white Grechetto dei Colli Martani
(d.o.c.), the renowned red wine Sagrantino di Montefalco
(secco, d.o.c.g.) and the very special red dessert wine Sagrantino passito
(passito d.o.c.g.).
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Evening
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You
will dine in the restaurant of your hotel.
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Wednesday
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After
breakfast this wine tour is finished. Perhaps you will continue your holidays
elsewhere in Italy, or it is of course always possible to prolong your
stay in Umbria.
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Period
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Every
Sunday from the 1st April until the beginning of
November
(excl. August) |
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