Sagrantino Tasting & Seminar

There was Savoring Sagrantino: Discover Umbria's Indigenous Varieties in San Francisco.
Sagrantino is a red grape varietal which is mostly grown around the town of Montefalco, Umbria, Italy. The wine made from this grape has highest tannin I've ever had.
I don't like wines with high tannin so much but somehow I've been intrigued by this varietal, so I was looking forward to attending this event.

There was an introduction about this grape and the history of  Montefalco.
There were several theories about the grape's origin, but this varietal seems to be indigenous to the area.
The thick skin gives high tannin and protects the grape from disease.
Sagrantino had been meant for local consumption and is relatively new to the international market.

Then wine was served with full course lunch.

White wine was served with salad.
Terre de la Custodia Grechetto dei Colli Martani DOC 2014

Grechetto is the grape used in Orvieto, famous white wine from Umbria.
Grechetto in Orvieto is flowery, but this one had more mineral.
Peach and Pear. Soft acid and medium body.
This wine could be better served with food, not just salad.
Very good wine.

Second course was Folded Pasta filled with Braised Short Ribs, Black Truffle Butter/Red Wine Ristretto
We had this with Montefalco Rosso.

Tenuta del Cerro Colpetrone Montefalco Rosso DOC 2011
Arnaldo Caprai Montefalco Rosso DOC 2012
Antonelli Montefalco Rosso DOC 2012
Tenuta Castelbuono Montefalco Rosso DOC 2010

Montefalco Rosso DOC is red wine which is made of 60~80% Sangiovese, 10~25% Sagrantino.
Aged for minimum 18 months.

All of them were good, but not impressive.
Probably because my mind was already occupied with Sagrantino.

Main course was a choice of Pork Meatballs or Flatiron Steak.
This was paired with Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG.
Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG uses only Sagrantino. Aged for minimum 37 months.

Viticoltori Broccatelli Galli Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2010
Perticaia Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2012
Scacciadiavoli Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2010
Tabarrini Montefalco Sagrantino DOCG 2011

They were all great.
Ripe red fruit, cherry, potpourri, spice.
Tannin was high, but not aggressive. 

My favorite among those great wines was Scacciadiavoli. 
Their wine was complex: bold yet elegant.

I enjoyed Perticaia a lot, too. Their wine was charming. 

It was a great experience. My only complain is that two hours was too short.