Montefalco Rosso for Tuesdays? Absolutely.
File this under weeknight wins: a Montefalco Rosso DOC that bridges Italian soul and modern polish without demanding a Saturday-night production. Susannah at Avvinare spotlighted a bottle poured at Locanda del Teatro in Montefalco—Giorgio Iannoni Sebastiani’s blend of Sangiovese, Sagrantino, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon—and it’s the kind of wine that makes Tuesday feel like a minor holiday.
Her quick thesis says it best: “I am loving the idea of Montefalco Rosso on Tuesday nights.” —Susannah, Avvinare
Style snapshot: what to expect in the glass
Montefalco Rosso is typically Sangiovese-led (think cherry brightness and savory snap), with Sagrantino bringing structure and grip. Many producers weave in a little Merlot and/or Cabernet for plushness and darker fruit. The style lands dry, medium to medium-plus in body, with firm but civilized tannins—exactly the kind of red that can hang with dinner without stealing the show.
Susannah’s notes on this bottle track with that framework, while leaning into a darker register: “bolder with more black fruit aromas” and “herbaceous notes … as well as violet.” She also flags “well integrated” tannins and a long finish, with tertiary hints—dried fruit, vanilla, umami, even a balsamic thread. Oak use varies at the estate by vintage, which helps explain the range of spice and texture they see year to year.
Best occasion: casual dinners when you want something serious but not fussy—pizza night upgraded, roast chicken, or a cozy bowl of lentils and sausage.
Best pairing direction: lean savory and umami. Tomato-based pastas, grilled pork, mushrooms, and aged cheeses play beautifully with Sangiovese’s acidity and Sagrantino’s backbone. The Merlot/Cabernet lift invites char and herbs (hello, rosemary).
Context: why Montefalco Rosso belongs in your rotation
Umbria’s red identity is tied to Sagrantino—an intense, tannic native grape that makes brooding, age-worthy wines under the Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG. Montefalco Rosso DOC, by contrast, is the friendly handshake: Sangiovese takes the lead, Sagrantino adds structure, and the optional international grapes smooth the edges. The result is a versatile, food-loving red that still speaks Umbrian with a clear accent.
That’s why Susannah’s take feels spot on. Where Tuscan Sangiovese often skews red-fruited and earthy, Montefalco Rosso can pull darker when Merlot and Cabernet are in the mix—think black cherry and plum with a leafy, balsamic echo. It’s familiar enough if you love Chianti Classico, but the Sagrantino seasoning adds grip and a slightly wilder, savory undertone. For weeknights, that combo hits the sweet spot: character without concentration fatigue.
Producer notes matter here too. The wine she tasted from Giorgio Iannoni Sebastiani is co-fermented—a choice that can knit the blend from day one. Some years see a touch of oak before bottle aging; others don’t, depending on the vintage. That decision-first approach aligns with the tasting profile she describes: spice and vanilla when the wood shows, or a purer fruit-and-herb line when it doesn’t. Either way, we’re talking crafted, not cookie-cutter.
And let’s not ignore the dining context. Locanda del Teatro is exactly the kind of place where a sommelier pulls a bottle because it feels right for the table and the town. When an Umbrian sommelier says, “you should taste this,” odds are the wine is dialed for the local food: olive oil, cured meats, black truffles, grilled meats—the hits keep coming.
One more line worth underlining from Susannah: “The tannins were well integrated.” —Susannah, Avvinare. That’s the green light for Tuesday. You get the structure to handle richer dishes, but you don’t need a decant-and-a-prayer situation.
Buying lens: look for Montefalco Rosso (not Sagrantino) when you want drinkability over muscle. Expect dry, medium body, elevated acidity from Sangiovese, firmer tannin than typical Tuscan Sangiovese thanks to Sagrantino, and, in blends like this, a nudge of black fruit and herb from Merlot/Cabernet. If you see Giorgio Iannoni Sebastiani on a list, you’re in thoughtful-hands territory.
Bottom line: Montefalco Rosso is a mid-week MVP that still teaches you something about Umbria. It’s generous without being jammy, structured without being stern, and versatile at the table. Put it in your rotation and thank yourself when the clock hits 6:30 and dinner hits the pan.
Source: https://avvinare.com/2025/08/12/montefalco-rosso-new-favorite-tuesday-wine/
