18.2 - 18.5 - Marche, Abruzzo, Umbria and Lazio Flashcards
Outline the styles of wine produced in Marche.
75% red from Sangiovese and Montepulciano
25% white mainly from Verdicchio
Most wines inexpensive to mid-priced
Name the top six grape varieties grown in Marche.
Describe the growing environment of Marche.
Climate mainly Med with some continentality further inland –> summer temps, rainfall
Topography most vineyards planted on low hills near the coast
Soils limestone and clay –> drainage vs water retention
Describe the characteristics of Verdicchio including planting densities, ripening, vulnerabilities, colour, aromas and structure.
Density low –> first four buds sterile so pruned long
Ripening late –> risk of late rain
Vulnerable mildew, botrytis bunch rot
Colour pale
Aromas med(-) intensity blossom, apple, lemon, fennel, almond
Structure high acid, med body
Describe the two main winemaking styles of Verdicchio.
Fruity, inexpensive no malo, 4-6mnths in SST
Riserva with late ripened grapes, on lees in old oak, bottle ageing for up to 10yrs
Compare and contrast the rules and style of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC and Verdicchio di Matelica DOC.
Growing environment CdJ from low hills, VdM from Apennines foothills
Soils VdM on faster draining sandstone
Yields VdM slightly lower 91 hL/ha for basic CdJ
Style CdJ is light, fruity and floral, VdM is higher acid, fuller-bodied, less fruity
How are Riserva rules applied within Verdicchio DOCs.
18mnths ageing and higher min ABV but no oak stipulated
Describe the characteristics of Marche’s other white grapes?
Pecorino disease resistant and early ripening but has sterile buds so must be trained long; apple, pear, herbal; high acid + alcohol, medium body–> released early or 12-18mnths in old oak with some labelled Offida Pecorino DOCG
N.B. clonal selection being used to improve productivity
Passerina disease resistant, high productivity, later ripening than Pecorino (bad why?) but can lose acidity quickly when mature so must be picked promptly; lemon, yellow apple; high acidity
Biancame and Trebbiano Toscano fresh and crips, local consumption
How are most non-Verdicchio whites labelled? What alternatives are there?
Marche IGT
Offida Pecorino/Passerina DOCG if within Offida area
Describe the characteristics of Montepulciano including ripening, resistances, and vulnerabilities.
Describe the two contrasting styles than can be produced.
Ripening uneven and needs long season –> quality/cost implications
Resistance to BBR and downy
Vulnerable to powdery mildew
Colour deep ruby
Style - Short Maceration (4-5 days) med intensity red cherry, no oak, med tannin and body
Style - Long Maceration (~20 days) med(+)-pronounced red cherry, black plum, oak, large oak vessels
Describe some of the challenges of growing Montepulciano and vinifying it.
Ripens unvenely so either acceptable lower quality or hand-harvest/sort –> cost
Prone to reduction so aerate frequently –> cost
Describe the typical red blends produced in Marche.
Mainly blended with Sangiovese (contributes acidity, tannin, red cherries)
Examples…
Rosso Piceno DOC - up to 85% Monte
Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC - same blends with 1yr of ageing from 13 townships in the south
Offida Rosso DOCG >85% Monte, 12mnths in oak, 24 total
How of Marche’s wines are sold and consumed within Italy. Which companies have bucked this trend. What are the current challenges to growing the export market for these wines?
2/3 by value sold within Italy but private companies and co-ops have had success e.g. Umani Ronchi exports 70% of production incl. super-premium wines e.g. Pelago
Challenges
- Region best known for inexpensive wines –> lots of competition
- Rise of Pinot Grigio in NE of Italy has eaten much of that market
How does the growing environment of Umbria compare to Tuscany?
Warm climate as well but more continentality as located further from the coast
Potential for drought in summer due to continentality
Moderate rainfall but during autumn and winter –> reduces disease risk but risk of disruption to harvest
Autumns usually dry enough for late harvest and botrytised styles
What are the six most widely planted grape varieties in Umbria?