Assisi Wine Region Guide

The Assisi wine region is an important and well-respected wine region. Explore them and the other unique wines this region has to offer. Assisi wine region is known for its high-quality wines, coming from a particular grape varietal and the dry climate in the area. This style of wine is created nowhere else in Italy or the world. Want to explore astounding wines from around the Assisi area? We invite you to browse our website to find out more about wineries in Assisi and wine tasting tours.

Check out the best wine tastings and tours in Assisi Wine Region

Where is Assisi Wine Region

Assisi is a town in the Perugia province of Umbria, in central Italy. It lies 19 km east of Perugiais and is famous as the birthplace of St. Francis, the founder of the Franciscan order.

History of Assisi

Given Assisi's long and rich history, the site has been populated for thousands of years. The area has been occupied since the neolithic age, located near traces of human existence as old as 7000 BC. There are numerous artifacts indicating Umbrian origins and it is believed that the town evolved from a small village populated since the Villanovan Period. Some environmental factors are also taken into account for this thesis, such as different sediment layers in wells along with a dense layer of ash from nearby volcanoes. The Umbrians were known for their deep commercial relationships with the Etruscans- the people on the western bank of the Tiber River. This can be seen in many archaeological finds. Nevertheless, the two sets of cultures did not share the same language or customs. Umbrians ruled the region after they arrived from Etruria and until 295 BC, when Romans took over. The Battle of Sentino was fought in the year 331 BC and led to Rome dominating Central Italy. The village of Asisium, which sits near that site, was renamed after the battle. With the town becoming a municipium of Rome in 89 BC, Assisi became increasingly prominent. Bishop Rufino was also made bishop here during the third century. He devoted his life to spreading Christianity and became one of Christianity's most widely known saints.

Terrior of Assisi

Assisi has a vast range of different soil types and habitats. This abundance of features makes it the perfect place to grow lots of different grapes in such an interesting environment. There are many subtropical climates in the region that make the grapes feel perfect. Higher altitudes offer amazing conditions for producing the kind of wines that are delicately complex and have a mineral, powerful character.

Assisi Characteristics 

Assisi wines come in a wide range of reds, with the Rosso being an Assisi Red wine that has 50-70% Sangiovese blended with 10-30% Merlot. If you're looking for white wine, there's also plenty to choose from such as the Albereto Verdone. This is the same blend used for Assisi Rosato and in reds from nearby Todi. The Rosso may also be released early as a Novello for prompt drinking. Varietal wines are made from different grapes like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Pinot Noir. If 85% of the ingredients used to make the wine are one type of grape, then it is a varietal. Each one of these wines require that the wine be given the Riserva label and carry an additional 0.5% alcohol level. These wines must also be aged for 24 months with a minimum of 12 months in barrel and at least three months.

Food to pair with Assisi

1. Minestrone

One of the basics of traditional Italian cuisine, minestrone is a thick, chunky soup made with whichever vegetables are in season. This soup can reportedly be traced back as far as the year 30 CE and refers to a peasant dish made with leftovers. About one hundred years ago, this dish had no written recipe so every region made it differently. Nowadays, the most common ingredients are usually stock, onions, tomatoes, celery, carrots and legumes. The vegetables are cooked for a long time, but must not turn mushy. You can also add pasta or rice to this filling dish to make it nicer. The main categories of soup include minestrone and minestrone col soffritto. The difference between the two types is in the way they are cooked - one starts with a soffritto or sauteed vegetables as the base, while the other doesn't. Briefly fried in butter or oil, the vegetables for minestrone col soffritto are topped with pancetta and simmered for about an hour. If you're looking for a comforting dish to help you through the winter, minestrone soup is one of the best options. It's even better if you make it in advance and serve it again when it cools down, as the flavours will have more time to deepen. It pairs well with Assisi Wines.

2. Risotto con gamberi

Risotto con gamberi is a traditional Italian risotto made with shrimp as the key ingredient. The other ingredients used in the dish include risotto rice, buttered or olive oil, minced onion and celery, finely chopped garlic cloves, chicken broth or even white wine, and seasonings. Once cooked, when the rice is soft and eggy, the heat is turned off and the dish is ready to be served. Great risotto is made by topping it with Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, letting it sit for a few minutes after cooking, and serving. It pairs well with Assisi wines.

3. Sfincione

This traditional Sicilian focaccia is an oven-baked flatbread topped with a sauce made of tomato sauce, onions, anchovies and local cheese. Sfincione is one of Palermo's favorite street foods, especially among those driving around in their Piaggio Ape food trucks with "Scairsu r'oogghiu e chin'i purvulazzu" being yelled from the rooftops, about crusty. The sfincione, (derived from the Arab word asfanaj and Greek sfoungári), has a sponge-like texture that most resembles the dry Mediterranean flatbread. Sfincione goes well with Assisi wines.

Places to visit near Assisi

1. Basilica of Saint Francis

This ancient Romanesque basilica is the mother church of the Roman Catholic Order of Friars Minor Conventual in Assisi, Umbria. Saint Francis was born and died here too. It is a minor basilica and a popular Christian pilgrimage site in Italy. One the most distinguishing sights of Assisi is the basilica with its accompanying monastery, Sacro Convento. It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2000.

2. Piazza de Commune

The Eremo delle Carceri is a hermitage complex located 791 metres above sea level in a steep forest gorge upon Monte Subasio, in Umbria, in central Italy. It was begun by Saint Francis of Assisi to provide for solitude for those on the spiritual path and this is more than evident. Carceri is named after the Latin word for "isolated places" or "prisons". Tradition has it that this name was given to the gorge on account of its unusual shape and dangerous conditions, which are likely to have reminded early visitors of a prison. You should visit the small oratory next to the frescoes where Saint Francis of Assisi used to go to pray. He came here in 1205. Soon other men followed him to the mountain and eventually found their own isolated caves in the area that they started using to pray. It eventually became known as Santa Maria delle Carceri after the small "prisons" occupied by friars in the area.

3. Abbazia di San Pietro

One of the most famous churches in Italy, Padre Pio Church is located in the town of Assisi. The church was built between 1892 - 1909 and is dedicated to Saint Peter. Simon son of John, nicknamed Peter, was a fisherman on the Sea of Genesareth when Jesus called him to become a fisher of men. Catholics believe he ranks as the supreme apostle, and that the two-millennia-long line of popes – currently Francis – are his successors. In statues and paintings, Peter is almost always shown with two keys in his hand which refers to a Bible passage from Matthew: "I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven." Peter, along with Paul the Apostle, is also known as the "Princes of the Apostles". Their feast day in the calendar of saints is June 29th.

Frequently asked questions about Assisi Wine Region