Marche

History

“Vino Piceno” was already famous in Roman times. At that time there was also talk of Verdicchio, the most representative wine of the region today.

Territory

Marche is roughly 68% hilly and its vineyards are almost entirely in hillside areas. All-important is the presence of the nearby Adriatic Sea, which exerts a beneficial temperature-regulating influence. Soils are mainly of limestone, marl, sandstone, and gypsum deposits; permeable, they are particularly suited to the cultivation of vines and olives. Moreover, there are thirteen major rivers running through the region that help create many specific microclimates, which are mostly mild with low humidity. Rainfall is concentrated in autumn and spring and snow is common in winter.

The characteristic grape of the region is Verdicchio, but also Pecorino, Passerina, Biancame, all native white grapes and Montepulciano, Sangiovese, Ciliegiolo, Pinot Noir, Lacrima and Vernaccia Nera amongst the red grapes. Vernaccia Nera (Vernaccia di Serrapetrona) in the province of Macerata, is the only red colored Vernaccia grape in Italy from which either a sparkling red wine, dry or slightly sweet, is made. It is a DOCG since 2004. From the north to the south, the first wine-growing zone is that of the Metauro and Colli Pesaresi (DOC), where mainly Biancame and Sangiovese grapes are used. The Castelli di Jesi is the home of Verdicchio (Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC and DOCG Riserva), as well as Matelica. The latter area is much cooler and mountainous, hence Verdicchio di Matelica is a much steelier and less floral wine. The coastal area around the headland of Conero is instead suited to red wines made from Montepulciano (Conero DOCG) and Sangiovese. The Apennines area of Serrapetrona is known for sparkling wines made with Vernaccia Nera (Vernaccia di Serrapetrona DOCG). Further south of the Macerata area (Colli Maceratesi DOC) white wines are made of grape Maceratino (also called Ribona). The Colli del Tronto and Colli Ascolani are known for Rosso Piceno DOC (Montepulciano grapes) and Falerio DOC (Trebbiano, Passerina, Pecorino).