Region: Marche
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: DOC/DOCG with Classico Regoin and 99 Mention geografiche aggiuntive
Established: 2010/2011
Primary Grape Varietiess: Verdicchio in Varietal Bottlings
Italians say that the Region of La Marche is like finding all of Italy in one region. It has beaches, mountains, history, food and wine – all that anyone could want to find.
Marche is the region in the middle of Italy, on the Adriatic coast, where Sangiovese and Montepulciano black grapes merge. They are produced into delicious and sometimes complex, super-high quality red wines. La Marche, however, is also known for its principal white variety – Verdicchio.
Verdicchio is now known to be identical in DNA to Trebbiano di Lugana and Trebbiano di Soave, two grapes that are widespread across the Veneto region. Verdicchio can also be found in Lombardia but La Marche leads Italy in the production of Verdicchio wines with 64% of the total plantings of this wine across Italy. If you discount the biotypes, 95% of Verdicchio is grown in Marche. Recent research shows that there is significant flavor differences between Verdicchio and the Trebbiano versions that are grown elsewhere, giving Verdicchio a reputation as one of the truly noble Italian white grapes.
Within the political region of Marche, we find five DOCG regions with two dedicated to Verdicchio. We will discuss Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG at a later time and focus on the Castelli di jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG that is located centrally in Marche, inland and a bit north of Matelica. With both DOCGs, they designate DOC regions for the non Riserva wines. In the case of Castello di Jesi, the Italians reverse the words of the denomination and thus we have:
Both denominations cover the same geographical area and produce varietal Verdicchio white wines. The DOC produces sparkling wines and a Passito that are also varietal. The DOCG is dedicated only to the white still wine as a Riserva version. There is a classico subzone that can also be shown on the bottle. The region has 22 “Comuni”.
The wines are grown in the hillsides of the Appennine mountains that are between 12-20 km inland and at relatively high altitudes of 200-500 meters above sea level. The climate is mostly mediterranean but some continental effects are felt as one goes further inland and up in altitude. Verdicchio must have a minimum alcohol content of 12.5% in the riserva wines with aging requirements of 18 months/6 in bottle. The wine is early to bud and ripens well. Above all, the wine is high acid as it maintains acidity naturally and enjoys a wide diurnal temperature range in the DOCG locations. The acidity gives Verdicchio a strong backbone and because of this structural component, it is very ageworthy. It is floral with delicate fruits and nutty flavors. The wines are loved for their sweet, peachy aromas and can often have a somewhat oily texture. Other flavors that appear are lemon curd, apple, honey and almonds with a salin finish. Above all, Verdicchio is a typical Italian white wine. The flavors and acidity grow to the back palate (a back palate wine) and almost always finish with a slightly nutty and bitter or phenolic flavor. There can often be some tinges of green in the otherwise pale, lemon color. After all, Verdicchio is one of the grapes named for its color as Verde is green in Italian.
Marche is a region in which International grapes have never taken a foothold. When International wine markets showed enthusiasm for genuine Italian varieties, Verdicchio is one that received immediate attention. A renewed focus on quality showed immediate impact in the market and Verdicchio remains a strong force in local and international markets. For many years, Verdicchio was bottled in a unique format (in the pictures below) but the quality problems of the 1970s and 80s became associated with the bottle and it is now bottled in standard formats.
The key differentiators for Verdicchio is the slightly elevated aromatics and the oily texture. Taking the wine as a whole, the oiliness is a key indicator and true characteristic of quality Verdicchio. A sweet almond, phenolic finish is the other. Enjoy.
Verdicchio di Matelica
Zippy Verdicchio – non Zip-a-do-da-day – just Zippy Verdicchio… The great white wine of la Marche in Italy. Many more of you are familiar with Trebbiano di Soave and the Soave wines of Veneto. Recent studies have shown the DNA of these two grapes are identical but the regions are not so today we will focus on the unique qualities of Verdicchio di Matelica – from the hilly, inland areas of Marche. Marche is on the Adriatic coast where Sangiovese and Montepulciano come together in the red wine bottles. La Marche also is the part of Italy that Italians say, “capture all of Italy in one place”. The sea side creates the climate for the red grapes while the inland areas are perfect for Verdicchio.
Earlier we talked about the Castelli di Jesi DOP regions and to their south we find Matelica, where the vineyards are planted at higher elevations on the foothills of the Appennines. There are distinct differences in the wines with the Jesi wines having more floral notes and broader, slightly more complex fruit aromas and flavors. Verdicchio from Matelica is more restrained and balanced with a distinct elegance and a delicate but persistent note of apricot – unusual and expressive.
Wines from the more mature vineyards have lower yields and form a deep and complex root system. These wines develop an increased and impressive intensity of flavor and unusual ageworthiness for a white wine. The acidity – zippy acidity – underlies the flavors of apricot and floral notes. It is a perfect match for sushi, seafood and antipasti.
This is a great quality wine that can easily be found for under $20 in the US – with little price difference between the DOC and DOCG levels. I think a surpise wine of this quality would impress yourself and your friends and become a go-to wine for many occasions. Look for DOCG on the bottle for a Riserva white wine of 85% Verdicchio and a minimum of 18 months of aging. With the DOC label you can find a varietal white, a sparkling version of the same 85% or a passito dessert wine. Verdicchio is indeed flexible and delicious.
Quality Level in EU/Italian Wine Law: DOC/DOCG with Classico Regoin and 99 Mention geografiche aggiuntive
Established: 2010/2011
Primary Grape Varietiess: Verdicchio in Varietal Bottlings
Italians say that the Region of La Marche is like finding all of Italy in one region. It has beaches, mountains, history, food and wine – all that anyone could want to find.
Marche is the region in the middle of Italy, on the Adriatic coast, where Sangiovese and Montepulciano black grapes merge. They are produced into delicious and sometimes complex, super-high quality red wines. La Marche, however, is also known for its principal white variety – Verdicchio.
Verdicchio is now known to be identical in DNA to Trebbiano di Lugana and Trebbiano di Soave, two grapes that are widespread across the Veneto region. Verdicchio can also be found in Lombardia but La Marche leads Italy in the production of Verdicchio wines with 64% of the total plantings of this wine across Italy. If you discount the biotypes, 95% of Verdicchio is grown in Marche. Recent research shows that there is significant flavor differences between Verdicchio and the Trebbiano versions that are grown elsewhere, giving Verdicchio a reputation as one of the truly noble Italian white grapes.
Within the political region of Marche, we find five DOCG regions with two dedicated to Verdicchio. We will discuss Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG at a later time and focus on the Castelli di jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG that is located centrally in Marche, inland and a bit north of Matelica. With both DOCGs, they designate DOC regions for the non Riserva wines. In the case of Castello di Jesi, the Italians reverse the words of the denomination and thus we have:
- Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOCG
- Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC
Both denominations cover the same geographical area and produce varietal Verdicchio white wines. The DOC produces sparkling wines and a Passito that are also varietal. The DOCG is dedicated only to the white still wine as a Riserva version. There is a classico subzone that can also be shown on the bottle. The region has 22 “Comuni”.
The wines are grown in the hillsides of the Appennine mountains that are between 12-20 km inland and at relatively high altitudes of 200-500 meters above sea level. The climate is mostly mediterranean but some continental effects are felt as one goes further inland and up in altitude. Verdicchio must have a minimum alcohol content of 12.5% in the riserva wines with aging requirements of 18 months/6 in bottle. The wine is early to bud and ripens well. Above all, the wine is high acid as it maintains acidity naturally and enjoys a wide diurnal temperature range in the DOCG locations. The acidity gives Verdicchio a strong backbone and because of this structural component, it is very ageworthy. It is floral with delicate fruits and nutty flavors. The wines are loved for their sweet, peachy aromas and can often have a somewhat oily texture. Other flavors that appear are lemon curd, apple, honey and almonds with a salin finish. Above all, Verdicchio is a typical Italian white wine. The flavors and acidity grow to the back palate (a back palate wine) and almost always finish with a slightly nutty and bitter or phenolic flavor. There can often be some tinges of green in the otherwise pale, lemon color. After all, Verdicchio is one of the grapes named for its color as Verde is green in Italian.
Marche is a region in which International grapes have never taken a foothold. When International wine markets showed enthusiasm for genuine Italian varieties, Verdicchio is one that received immediate attention. A renewed focus on quality showed immediate impact in the market and Verdicchio remains a strong force in local and international markets. For many years, Verdicchio was bottled in a unique format (in the pictures below) but the quality problems of the 1970s and 80s became associated with the bottle and it is now bottled in standard formats.
The key differentiators for Verdicchio is the slightly elevated aromatics and the oily texture. Taking the wine as a whole, the oiliness is a key indicator and true characteristic of quality Verdicchio. A sweet almond, phenolic finish is the other. Enjoy.
Verdicchio di Matelica
Zippy Verdicchio – non Zip-a-do-da-day – just Zippy Verdicchio… The great white wine of la Marche in Italy. Many more of you are familiar with Trebbiano di Soave and the Soave wines of Veneto. Recent studies have shown the DNA of these two grapes are identical but the regions are not so today we will focus on the unique qualities of Verdicchio di Matelica – from the hilly, inland areas of Marche. Marche is on the Adriatic coast where Sangiovese and Montepulciano come together in the red wine bottles. La Marche also is the part of Italy that Italians say, “capture all of Italy in one place”. The sea side creates the climate for the red grapes while the inland areas are perfect for Verdicchio.
Earlier we talked about the Castelli di Jesi DOP regions and to their south we find Matelica, where the vineyards are planted at higher elevations on the foothills of the Appennines. There are distinct differences in the wines with the Jesi wines having more floral notes and broader, slightly more complex fruit aromas and flavors. Verdicchio from Matelica is more restrained and balanced with a distinct elegance and a delicate but persistent note of apricot – unusual and expressive.
Wines from the more mature vineyards have lower yields and form a deep and complex root system. These wines develop an increased and impressive intensity of flavor and unusual ageworthiness for a white wine. The acidity – zippy acidity – underlies the flavors of apricot and floral notes. It is a perfect match for sushi, seafood and antipasti.
This is a great quality wine that can easily be found for under $20 in the US – with little price difference between the DOC and DOCG levels. I think a surpise wine of this quality would impress yourself and your friends and become a go-to wine for many occasions. Look for DOCG on the bottle for a Riserva white wine of 85% Verdicchio and a minimum of 18 months of aging. With the DOC label you can find a varietal white, a sparkling version of the same 85% or a passito dessert wine. Verdicchio is indeed flexible and delicious.
Producer/Theme websites: