he impressive medieval town of Orvieto is the center of an Umbrian grape-growing and winemaking area that is of major historical and economic importance. The vineyards extend along the line of hills on the right and left banks of the Paglia to the point where that small stream joins the Tiber.Wine has been made at Orvieto since extremely remote times. The first inhabitants on the site, the Etruscans, understood that the special makeup of the tufaceous soil that is characteristic of the district was extremely favorable to the production of wine and the excavation of cellars where it could be preserved at length.
Numerous documents and anecdotes attest to the wine's popularity in past centuries. Poets, writers and noted leaders of society repeatedly sang its praises. Physiologist Paolo Mantegazza described it as "liquid gold," because it was often served at the tables of popes, cardinals and aristocrats. Poet Gabriele D'Annunzio defined it as "the sun of Italy in a bottle" because of its fragrance, strength and color. In his will, Pope Gregory XVI ordered that his body first be washed with the wine of Orvieto before being buried.
In succeeding periods, the wine of Orvieto continued to be accorded a place of honor in the ranks of the country's products. Today, it is without doubt one of the Italian white wines best known and appreciated throughout the world.
