Cortona is a lovely small Tuscan city in the province of Arezzo, its hilltop location offering stunning views of Lake Trasimeno and the Val di Chiana. The vineyards covering the rolling hills surrounding the town belong to the small Cortona DOC wine region. The production area of the Cortona DOC includes all lands devoted to quality grape growing within the Cortona municipality. Vine cultivation is allowed only in fields over 250 m above sea level.

Historical evidence dates the origin of grape cultivation in this area to the Etruscan times when grapes vines were planted amongst orchards, the adjacent trees used to support thee vines. Ancient Etruscan amphorae depict banquet scenes with figures shown drinking wine from goblets. These very same amphorae were likely then used to ferment and transport wine. Writings of the time describe the excellent wines of Etruria, particularly the qualities of a wine called "Estesiaca", produced in the Cortona area.

Wine production in the Val di Chiana area suffered in the Middle Ages as the valley deteriorated into swamp. Grape cultivation returned only in the second half of the 16th century when the area was reclaimed, with Cortona wines particularly prized by pope Paul III who during his stays in nearby Perugia had wine delivered from Cortona for his banquets.

The wines of the Cortona DOC are listed below. Amongst wines produced from traditional local grapes like Grechetto and Sangiovese, you will see international varietals like Cabernet, Merlot, and, interesingly enough, Syrah, which is not cultivated widely in Italy. During the Napoleonic occupation of this area in early 1800s, the Grand Duke of Tuscany, an avid oenophile, encouraged the cultivation of international varietals here.

Whites:

Cortona Chardonnay

Chardonnay: minimum 85%, with other local white grapes authorized by the DOC, up to a maximum of 15%. Straw yellow in color; fruity scent; dry and harmonious, elegant.
 
Cortona Grechetto

Grechetto: minimum 85%, with other local white grapes authorized by the DOC, up to a maximum of 15%. Straw yellow in color; fresh, delicate aroma; taste: dry and well-balanced.
 
Cortona Sauvignon

Sauvignon: minimum 85%, with other local white grapes authorised by the DOC, up to a maximum of 15%. Straw yellow in color; intense, citrus aroma; dry and elegant.

Red:

Cortona Rosso

Syrah: between 50% to 60%, Merlot: 10% to 20%, with other local red grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 30%. Ruby red, tending toward garnet with aging; elegant aroma, dry and harmonious.

Cortona Cabernet Sauvignon and Riserva

Cabernet Sauvignon: minimum 85%, with other local red grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 15%. Ruby red tending to garnet; intense and characteristic spicy aroma; full bodied and elegant. Riserva wines undergo a miminim of 36 months of aging.

Cortona Merlot e Riserva

Merlot: minimum 85%, with other local red grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 15%. Garnet with hints of purple; aromas of berries with grassy notes; dry, elegant and full bodied. Riserva wines undergo a miminim of 36 months of aging.

Cortona Sangiovese e Riserva

Sangiovese: minimum 85%, with other local red grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 15%. Ruby red, tending to become red-orange with ageing; smooth and elegant nose; dry and harmonious. Riserva wines undergo a miminim of 36 months of aging.

Cortona Syrah e Riserva

Syrah: minimum 85%, with other local red grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 15%. Ruby red to garnet; characteristic aroma; dry and well-balanced. Riserva wines undergo a miminim of 36 months of aging.

Dessert Wines:

Cortona Vin Santo

Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto and Malvasia Bianca Lunga: jointly or alone, minimum 80%; with other local white grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 20%. Color ranges from gold to amber; characteristic aromas of mature fruit; full, smooth and round.

Cortona Vin Santo Riserva

Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto and Malvasia Bianca Lunga: jointly or alone, minimum 80%; with other local white grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 20%. Gold to amber; characteristic aromas of mature fruit; full, smooth and round. Riserva wines undergo a minimum of 48 months of aging.

Cortona Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice

Sangiovese and/or Malvasia Nera, minimum 80%; with other local red grapes allowed by the DOC, up to a maximum of 20%. Amber to topaz, with a reddish shade that becomes brown with age; complex nose of ripe fruit; persistent with a sweet finish.