Verdicchio di Matelica

The Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) "Verdicchio di Matelica" identifies a particular type of white wine, also vinified as Spumante and Passito.

Grapes

As the denomination reveals, "Verdicchio" is the fundamental vine for the production of Matelica wines. Specifically, the vine in question must represent at least 85% of the vineyards from which the grapes used in winemaking come. The presence of other varieties is allowed only within the limit of 15%, provided that they are white grapes and suitable for cultivation in the Marche.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The "Verdicchio di Matelica" wine (minimum total alcoholic strength by volume 11.5% vol) is pale straw yellow in colour, with a delicate and characteristic aroma and a dry and harmonious flavour, enriched by a pleasantly bitterish aftertaste. In the Passito variant (15% vol.) the appearance ranges from straw yellow to amber, with a characteristic, ethereal and intense aroma and a taste that goes from sweet to sweet, with a harmonious and velvety character, always enhanced by a bitter aftertaste. The greenish reflections, on the other hand, make the straw-yellow hue of the Spumante more lively (11.5% vol.), which also has a fine and persistent froth. The aroma is characteristic, delicate, fine, broad and composite; on the palate it is savoury, fresh, fine and harmonious, with an extrabrut to dry taste.

Grape production area

The production area is an alluvial plain, in the provinces of Ancona and Macerata, which, given its distance from the sea, is characterized by a climate with intense winters and summers with fairly high temperatures.

Specificity and historical notes

Born in pre-Roman times, local viticulture experienced a period of splendor during the domination of Roma, with wines praised also by Latin poets and writers. The barbarian invasions and the medieval period brought a long period of stagnation, which ended only with the advent of the Papal State and a new impetus to the winemaking tradition.