Restaurant: Sergio Mottura / La Tana dell’Istrice

Location: Piazza Unità d’Italy 12. 01020 Civitella d’Agliano (VT) Italy tel. + 39 0761 914 533

Date: June 11, 2015

Cuisine: Italian

Rating: Fun birthday dinner

On my birthday (most by coincidence) we drove up from Rome to Civitella d’Agliano, a cute little town in Northern Lazio (close to Umbria). Our hotel is owned and operated by a lovely couple. The husband, Sergio Mottura is a local winemaker as well.

Some 20 years ago when they went organic in the wineries the porcupine, having vacated during the pesticide years returned to the vineyards, so they chose him as their namesake (Istrice is porcupine in Italian).

The hotel and restaurant is situated in the lovely old square of the town.

Tonight, for my birthday, we had a sort of combined wine tasting and dinner.

2011 Sergio Mottura Civitella Rosato. Every warm evening deserves a nice rose.

Truffle cheese. Presumably some kind of pecorino.

“Pizza bianco” (aka focaccia).

Fried eggplant. A really delicious fry.

Onion rings. Also an amazing fry.

2007 Sergio Mottura Spumante Lazio IGT. One of the specialities of the winery is their Spumante. This is a 100% Chardonnay made in the Champagne style. It is very nice with good fruit and acid balance.

Tonight’s dinner menu.


2014 Sergio Mottura Orviéto Tragugnano. The classic Orvieto is a blend of various local whites. Regulations call for Trebbiano Toscano (Procanico) and Grechetto (min. 60%) grapes, and other white grape varieties, non aromatic, suitable for cultivation (max. 40%).

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2013 Sergio Mottura Grechetto Poggio della Costa Civitella d’Agliano IGT. They served us two cuvees of all Grechetto, one raised in steel and the other in oak.

Fettuccine al limone. A light flavorful pasta with a hint of lemon!

2011 Sergio Mottura Nenfro Civitella d’Agliano IGT. They also make some wines from new world grapes like this Merlot.

Sliced veal with tuna and anchovy sauce.

Frittata for the vegetarians.

2011 Sergio Mottura Syracide Civitella d’Agliano IGT. And Sryah.

Cheese and homemade quince jam.

2011 Sergio Mottura Muffo del Lazio Passito. One of my favorites was this all Grechetto passito, made in the ripasso (raison) style. Very nice sticky.

They also made me some Zuppa Inglese for dessert.

This was the classic in its Italian/English glory. This sweet connection has one of those interesting and characteristic Italian flavor profiles with the mix of alcohol and citrus for a very complex flavoring. After this, I kept sampling Zuppa Inglese gelato, which is pretty awesome.

Overall this was a lovely evening, as much like dining at a friend’s villa as out at a restaurant! The host and hostess are so warm and personable.

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