The Civitella d'Agliano IGT takes its name from a municipality in the province of Viterbo, in northern Lazio, on the hills of the Tiber valley on the border with Umbria. It was established in 1995 and is one of the region's typical geographical indications: a broad framework that leaves wineries a lot of freedom.
What an IGT is
An Indicazione Geografica Tipica guarantees above all the origin of the grapes. In Civitella d'Agliano the Bianco, the Rosato and the Rosso may be made from any grape of the corresponding colour authorised in Lazio, with no fixed percentages. It is the space where wineries offer their own blends and wines that do not fit within the area's designations of origin. Minimum alcohol is 10% and no minimum ageing is required.
The styles
Alongside the freely blended wines are the varietals, which show the name of a grape on the label with at least 85% of it. For the whites, Chardonnay, Grechetto, Malvasia and Trebbiano are allowed; for the rosés and reds, Grechetto Rosso and Sangiovese. The rules also provide for wines with two or three grapes on the label: each must make up at least 15%, and the names must be listed in descending order. Finally there is a Novello, among the reds.
The style therefore depends on the winery: fresh whites from Trebbiano and Malvasia or fuller ones from Grechetto and Chardonnay, light rosés, Sangiovese reds with cherry fruit and good acidity.
At the table
The whites go with vegetables, fish from Lake Bolsena and white meats; the reds with the cured meats of the Tuscia, grilled meat, pasta with ragù and pecorino cheeses. A little further north, across the Umbrian border, lies the Orvieto DOC; in the south of the region, another Lazio IGT, Anagni.
