Marche

This relatively unknown, but in recent years increasing in popularity, region is rich in natural beauty, beautiful beaches and also a delicious traditional cuisine. Located on the Adriatic Sea, south of Emilia Romagna, north of Abruzzo and east of Tuscany, the Marches are characterized by a hilly to mountainous landscape. The region has 12 DOC wines and 1 IGT wine on a total of 24,500 hectares of vineyard, of which the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is the best known in our country, closely followed by the Rosso Cònero and the Rosso Piceno.

More information About Marche

As elsewhere in the country, De Marken is working hard to improve quality by reducing the vineyard area and applying new vinification methods, without neglecting the characteristic of this region: the use of native grape varieties. In comparison to other Italian regions, there is little experimentation with international grape varieties in the Marche. The Verdicchio grape has been cultivated in this region since the fifteenth century. Today we distinguish the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, grown on the hills to the west of the village of Jesi and the Verdicchio di Matelica DOC, which is produced much further south and even more inland.

Because of the calcareous clay soil, both areas are ideal for the production of white wine. For both wines, an addition of up to 15% of the Trebbiano and / or the Malvasia is permitted by law. Characteristic for these wines is the pale yellow color with green reflections, the delicate bouquet with notes of apple and peach and the balanced and dry taste, with a little bitterness in the aftertaste. The wine is one of the best white wines in Italy. In addition to the production of the 'traditional' Verdicchio, experiments are made here and there with wood aging for these white wines and the Verdicchio has also proved to be very suitable for making Spumanti. Due to the excellent combination with all kinds of fish dishes and the fact that some producers produce a version 'sur lie', the Verdicchio is also compared to a Muscadet. The Rosso Cònero DOC is made from the Montepulciano grape, possibly supplemented with no more than 15% Sangiovese. The production zone is located at the foot of Monte Cònero, just south of Ancona, with foothills as far as the Adriatic coast. The wine is characterized by a full ruby red color and a dry, slightly tannic taste. The wine is very suitable for several years in the bottle.

The Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC is made on the hills between Ascoli Piceno and San Benedetto del Tronto, the southernmost part of the Marche. The grapes for the 'regular' Rosso Piceno DOC can be produced in a much larger area. The basic grapes for this wine are the Sangiovese (60%) and the Montepulciano (40%). The Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC must undergo wood aging for at least one year and have an alcohol content of 12%. Like the Rosso Cònero DOC, the wine is characterized by its ruby red color with some violet and brick red tones when aged. The fragrance is pleasant, dry and long; the taste is full and intense. A selection of the other wines from the Marches are the Falerio dei Colli Ascolani, white and mainly made from the Trebbiano Toscano; the Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, red from the Lacrima grape supplemented with Montepulciano and the Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, red and sparkling, ranging from sweet to dry.

What about the subregions of Marche?

The Marche region, located in central Italy along the Adriatic coast, is known for its diverse and picturesque landscapes, which contribute to a wide range of wine production. While Marche is not officially divided into subregions in the same way as some other Italian wine regions, it has several wine areas and denominations, each with its unique characteristics and grape varieties. These wine zones are often associated with particular terroirs and styles of wine. Here are some of the notable wine areas in Marche:

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi: The Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is one of Marche's most famous wine zones, located in the province of Ancona. It is renowned for its white wines made primarily from the Verdicchio grape. Verdicchio wines from this area are known for their crisp acidity, citrus notes, and mineral character. The vineyards are often situated on hilly terrain, allowing for excellent drainage and sun exposure.

Verdicchio di Matelica: Another important Verdicchio-producing area in Marche is the Verdicchio di Matelica. These vineyards are located in the province of Macerata, at a higher elevation than those in the Castelli di Jesi area. The wines from Verdicchio di Matelica tend to be fresh, with bright acidity and a distinctive floral and fruity character.

Conero: The Conero area is located in the province of Ancona and is known for its red wines, particularly those made from the Montepulciano grape. The Conero DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is one of the few in the region to achieve Italy's highest wine quality designation. The wines are often robust and full-bodied, with rich red fruit flavors.

Rosso Piceno: Rosso Piceno is another notable wine zone in Marche, situated in the provinces of Ascoli Piceno and Fermo. It is known for its red blends, typically combining Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes. These wines are characterized by their harmonious balance of fruitiness and structure.

Lacrima di Morro d'Alba: Lacrima di Morro d'Alba is a small wine area located near the town of Morro d'Alba. The key grape variety in this region is Lacrima, which produces intensely aromatic and floral red wines with a pronounced fragrance of roses.

Rosso Conero: The Rosso Conero wine area, located on the Conero promontory near the Adriatic coast, is known for its red wines made primarily from Montepulciano grapes. The wines from this region often display dark fruit flavors and a good structure.

Offida: The Offida area is home to several different wine types, including Offida Pecorino and Offida Passerina. Pecorino and Passerina are white grape varieties known for producing aromatic and textured white wines.