Trebbiano Spoletino is a white grape of Umbria, grown in the hills around Spoleto, Montefalco and Trevi. It makes dry, firm whites with citrus, green apple, herbs and a salty finish, and is one of central Italy's most interesting native whites.
Despite the name, Trebbiano Spoletino is not a clone of the common Trebbiano Toscano: DNA studies show it is a separate variety. For a long time it was grown on old vines trained up trees and along field edges, and its grapes went into simple local wine. In the 2000s a group of Montefalco producers, many better known for Sagrantino, began to bottle it on its own. The quality of these wines brought the grape back into the spotlight, and the Spoleto DOC now gives it a home.
The grape ripens late and keeps high acidity even in warm years. This makes it suitable for longer lees ageing, skin contact and even sparkling wine.
Young wines are crisp and fresh. Wines aged on the lees or from old vines gain texture and honeyed, nutty notes, and good examples age well for five years or more. Skin-contact versions are amber, with more grip and dried-fruit flavors.
Start with a Spoleto Trebbiano Spoletino or an Umbria IGT from a Montefalco estate. Producers worth knowing include Tabarrini, Perticaia, Antonelli San Marco, Collecapretta, Paolo Bea, Raína, Fongoli, Madrevite and Tenuta Bellafonte. Some make both a fresh version and a longer-aged or skin-contact one, so you can compare styles from the same grower.
Trebbiano Spoletino grows next to Sagrantino and Grechetto, and has nothing in common with most wines labelled simply Trebbiano. Read our best Umbria wines, the best orange wines from Italy, or browse the grape varieties index.