Amelia DOC
DOCItalian Wine DenominationsHow to pronounce key terms
A quietly historic corner of southern Umbria where Roman viticulture roots meet a broad cast of indigenous and international grapes across 14 municipalities.
Amelia DOC is a southern Umbrian appellation spanning 14 municipalities in the Province of Terni, recognized as DOC Colli Amerini in 1989 and renamed in 2010. The zone produces a wide range of styles, from Bianco and Rosso to Vin Santo, with Trebbiano Toscano and Grechetto leading whites and Sangiovese anchoring reds.
History and Origins
Viticulture in the Amelia zone dates to Roman times, with Virgil noting in the Georgics how local populations tied vine shoots with willows. The area was historically more celebrated for olive oil production, with wine playing a secondary role for centuries. DOC recognition came on November 25, 1989, under the name Colli Amerini, and the appellation was officially renamed Amelia DOC in 2010.
- Viticultural history documented since Roman times
- Virgil referenced local vine-training techniques in the Georgics
- Historically known as an olive oil producing zone
- Renamed from Colli Amerini to Amelia DOC in 2010
- Located in southern Umbria, Province of Terni, covering 14 municipalities
- Originally recognized as DOC Colli Amerini on November 25, 1989; renamed Amelia DOC in 2010
- Soils range from marine sediments in the southwest to sandy-clay in the northeast
- Minimum 50% Trebbiano Toscano required for Bianco wines
- Minimum 85% Grechetto required for Grechetto varietal wines
- Produces 16 wine styles including Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
- Viticulture documented since Roman times; Virgil referenced local vine-training practices in the Georgics
Location and Terroir
Amelia DOC sits in the Province of Terni in southern Umbria, encompassing 14 municipalities: Alviano, Giove, Penna in Teverina, Attigliano, Amelia, Calvi dell'Umbria, Guardea, Lugnano in Teverina, Montecastrilli, Narni, Otricoli, Sangemini, Stroncone, and Terni. Soils shift from marine sediments in the southwest to sandy-clay in the northeast. Climate is warm with mild winters, trending Mediterranean near Terni and Lake Trasimeno with hotter summers, and more continental toward the Apennines.
- Covers 14 municipalities in the Province of Terni
- Southwest soils: marine sediments; northeast soils: sandy-clay
- Mediterranean climate near Terni and Lake Trasimeno
- More continental conditions in inland and Apennine-adjacent areas
Every concept in this article fits on a card.
Mistral WineCards. Deck ONE: Global. 55 wine education cards covering grapes, regions, terroir, and winemaking. $35.
Get the DeckGrapes and Wine Styles
Amelia DOC permits an unusually broad range of grape varieties and wine styles. White wines are built on Trebbiano Toscano, Grechetto, and Malvasia. Reds and rosatos draw on Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo, Montepulciano, and Merlot. The appellation covers 16 distinct styles including Bianco, Rosso, Rosso Riserva, Grechetto, Ciliegiolo, Ciliegiolo Riserva, Rosato, Novello, Malvasia, Merlot, Merlot Riserva, Sangiovese, Sangiovese Riserva, Vin Santo, and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice.
- Bianco requires minimum 50% Trebbiano Toscano
- Grechetto varietal wines require minimum 85% Grechetto
- 16 official wine styles including Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
- Both indigenous varieties (Ciliegiolo, Canaiolo) and internationals (Merlot) are permitted
The map that explains this region.
The World Atlas of Wine is the book I open before any trip and after any bottle I could not place. Every region on this page has a map in it. $65.
See it in the WineShopWine Character
White wines from Amelia DOC present in straw-yellow hues of varying intensity. Reds show ruby with violet reflections when young, evolving toward garnet with orange reflections as they age. Across styles, wines are characterized by modest acidity levels, reflecting the warm Mediterranean-leaning climate of much of the zone.
- Whites: straw-yellow, more or less intense depending on style
- Young reds: ruby with violet reflections
- Aged reds: garnet with orange reflections
- General character: modest acidity content across styles
Whites from Trebbiano and Grechetto show straw-yellow color with modest acidity. Reds built on Sangiovese and Ciliegiolo display ruby to garnet hues with violet and orange reflections in younger and older wines respectively, in a warm, approachable style reflecting the Mediterranean-influenced climate.
- Cantine Zanchi Amelia Bianco$12-18Zanchi is one of the zone's key producers, offering a reliable introduction to the Trebbiano-based Bianco style.
- Fattoria le Poggette Amelia Grechetto$14-20Poggette showcases the appellation's minimum 85% Grechetto varietal style with regional character.
- La Palazzola Amelia Rosso Riserva$22-35La Palazzola is a noted Amelia DOC producer; the Riserva tier shows the garnet-with-orange-reflections evolution of aged reds.
Wine with Seth may earn a commission on Wine.com purchases at no cost to you. Wine links are for adults 21 and over.
- Recognized as DOC Colli Amerini on November 25, 1989; renamed Amelia DOC in 2010
- Located in Province of Terni, southern Umbria; spans 14 municipalities
- Bianco: minimum 50% Trebbiano Toscano; Grechetto wines: minimum 85% Grechetto
- 16 wine styles permitted, including Vin Santo and Vin Santo Occhio di Pernice
- Soils: marine sediments (southwest) and sandy-clay (northeast); climate ranges from Mediterranean to continental
Drinking your way through Amelia DOC?
Track every bottle in your Tasting Journal in the Wine with Seth app.
Start your Journal