Central Italy - Marche

Question 1

What are the main red grape varieties used?

Answer 1

Sangiovese and Montepulciano, most wines blends

Question 2

What grape is used in white wine production? How is white wine typically made?

Answer 2

Verdicchio. high acid, medium- aroma, medium body and slight bitter finish. No malo, crisp, 4-6 months in stainless. Riserva aged longer on lees in old barrels.

Question 3

What proportion of wine is red vs white?

Answer 3

3x more red than white

Question 4

Describe the climate of the Marche. What type of soil?

Answer 4

Broadly Mediterranean. hot summers, little rainfall in summer. More continental as you move inland towards Ancona. limestone and clay soil for drainage and retention.

Question 5

Describe the 2 DOCs for Verdicchio production. How do soils differ? How does size differ?

Answer 5

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC - West of Ancona, clay and limestone, floral and fruity wine. Larger DOC
Verdicchio di Matelica DOC - higher zone in Appenines foothills. protected by mountains, more continental. sandstone and less clay soil and faster draining. full body and higher acid.

Question 6

What are the ageing requirements for Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG?

Answer 6

18 months, no oak requirement, 12.5% abv

Question 7

White grape varieties?

Answer 7

Verdicchio, Pecorino, Passerina, Biancame

Question 8

Pecorino DOCG?

Answer 8

Offida Pecorino DOCG, aged 12-18 months in old oak. tends to have high alcohol 14.5%, high acid, medium body

Question 9

PGI for the Marche?

Answer 9

Marche IGT

Question 10

Passerina DOCG?

Answer 10

Offida Passerina DOCG

Question 11

What is the key red grape in the Marche? What % of blends is it typically? Which other grape is it blended with? Describe how the grape behaves in the vineyard and in the cellar. Describe the 2 styles of wine made from this grape.

Answer 11

Montepulciano, 70-85% of blend (with Sangiovese). Needs long growing season, ripens unevenly. Reductive in cellar, needs aeration. Made with no oak, medium intensity and concentration. Made with oak, medium + intensity and concentration.

Question 12

DOCs and DOCGs for Montepulciano production?

Answer 12

Rosso Piceno DOC (35-85% MO), Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC (higher alcohol, 1 year ageing, from 13 townships), Offida Rosso DOCG (85-100% MO), Rosso Conero DOC and Conero Riserva DOCG (min 85% MO for each)

Question 13

What promotional body represents the Marche?

Answer 13

IMT. represents 3/4 of denominations and 80% of exports

Question 14

How much of the wine in the Marche is exported (by value)?

Answer 14

1/3. USA, Canada, China

Question 15

Rules for Montepulciano DOCGs?

Answer 15

2 years ageing, 1 in wood. only blending variety allowed is Sangiovese (for Conero Riserva DOCG)