Rosso Orvietano DOC

The red counterpart to Orvieto, created so producers in white-wine country could bottle a DOC red. It's a flexible blend, usually Sangiovese with Merlot, Cabernet or Montepulciano, giving a mid-weight, soft red with cherry, plum, herbs and moderate tannin. A few producers make varietal Ciliegiolo or Aleatico under the name. Most Orvieto estates label their reds IGT Umbria instead, so Rosso Orvietano is rare even in Italy; Barberani, Decugnano and Cardeto are the names most likely to use it.