[Online Masterclass] Meeting with the Legend from Umbria – Lungarotti Winery

A comprehensive tasting of wines from the legend, Lungarotti, hosted by renowned educator Justin Chen and Francesco Zaganelli, third generation and export manager of the estate (via zoom from Italy). Being one of the 34 best Italian wineries of 2021’s “OperaWine, Finest Italian Wines” selected by Wine Spectator, Lungarotti’s recent vintage – Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio 2016 (tied with Bolgheri Sassicaia 2017) was also ranked the Best Red Wine in Italy in the “100 Best Wines of Italy by Gentleman Magazine”.
Its success should be attributed to the foundation laid by the giant of the post-war Italian wine industry, Giorgio Lungarotti, who influenced not only Umbria but its surrounding regions. Studying Lungarotti is a glimpse into the history of viticulture of Umbria and Central Italy – perfect for Italian wine enthusiasts but also wine beginners who shall be enticed by the beauty of 7 signature examples of their wines, including a vertical tasting of the three great vintages of Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio (2016, 2005 and 1997)!

Wine List:

Aurente DOC 2018
Torre di Giano Vigna il Pino DOC 2018
San Giorgio IGT 2017
Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2018
Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio DOCG 2016
Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio DOCG 2005
Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio DOCG 1997

This is a great opportunity for all Italian wine lovers to get a deeper understanding of Umbria (the green heart of Italy) and this legendary winery. Certainly the mini vertical tasting of three vintages of Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio would be memorable to any serious Sangiovese wine lovers!

About the Winery:

Lungarotti is a legendary Umbrian winery founded in Torgiano by Giorgio Lungarotti. Giorgio can certainly be considered one of the most important figures of the post-war Italian wine industry. He began to produce wine in Torgiano in the 1950s and released his iconic labels Rubesco and Toree di Giano to the market for the first time in 1962. He basically laid the foundation for modern viticulture and enology in Umbria and became an inspiration for all Umbrian producers and his influence was felt even outside the region. Because of his work, Torgiano became Umbria’s first DOC in 1968 and Lungarotti literally put Umbria back on the wine map. Lungarotti was recently nominated by Wine Spectator-Operawine 2021 as one of the 34 best Italian wineries: “They produce world-class wines; they are leaders in their regions; and witness the diversity, heritage and authenticity that are the hallmarks of Italian wine.” (Wine Spectator)

Now run by the second and third generation, Lungarotti today totals 270 hectares of vineyards situated in the Torgiano Estate (230 ha), the one in Montefalco (20 ha) and the third one in Chianti Classico (20 ha). While focusing on local grape varieties such as Sangiovese, Sagrantino and Grechetto, it also produces a great Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese blend wine – San Giorgio Umbria IGT Rosso, which can be regarded as a “Super Umbrian” wine. The single vineyard wine – Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio (Sangiovese based) is certainly the most iconic one and has been widely regarded as one of the best Italian red wines. In fact, the Trogiano Rosso Riserva DOCG was created in 1990 especially for this wine. Among countless awards received by this great wine, the recent vintage – Rubesco Riserva Vigna Monticchio 2016 has been ranked best red wine in Italy – tied with Bolgheri Sassicaia 2017 – in the “100 best wines of Italy” list compiled annually by Gentleman magazine calculated using the total ratings of all the major Italian wine guides.

About Justin Chen:

Justin is a wine educator at MWM Wine School in Hong Kong. He founded Joy Palate Wine Academy in 2014 and had been the wine educator and wine consultant between Hong Kong and Guangzhou for the academy previously.

Justin has a wide range of wine-related qualifications, including DipWSET, WSET Certified Educator, Knight of Truffle and Wine of Alba, and was awarded a Runner-up at the Hong Kong International Top Tasters Competition by The Drinks Business in 2016.