IT - Central Italy / Le Marche

Answer 1

General

1. Le Marche is best known for Verdicchio but has many DOCs unknown even in Italy
2. Home to Mondavi’s family who emigrated in the 20s to the US to build their empire from the 1960s

Climate

Hot & dry summers overall but more Continental north of Ancona and Mediterranean in the south near Ascoli Piceno

Topgraphy + Soils

1. From East-West: Coastal plains along the Adriatic, rolling hills to the foothills of the Apennines
2. Calcareous soils & Mediterranean vegetation

Answer 2

Whites (62% of production)

1. Verdicchio
2. Long cultivated native grape (since 14th)
3. Very high acidity from generic fresh lemon/green
4. apple notes to herbal and almond flavours
5. Still, sparkling & passitos

Others: Trebbiano, Biancame (local grape used for Bianchello del Metauro DOC)

Answer 3

Reds (38% of production)

1. Sangiovese
2. Buds early & slow to ripen; vigorous grape
3. Naturally low in anthocyanins so tendency towards lighter colour and hi acidity (esp. if yields
4. not controlled)
5. Does not perform as well here as in Tuscany (partly due to wetter climate)
6. Montepulciano
7. Promising red grape
8. Tendency to ripen late & excessively ‘green’ if
9. harvested too early
10. Produces deep-coloured wine with medium to hi tannins, medium acidity, medium+ alcohol and body

Others: Lacrima, Cabernet, Syrah, Merlot

Answer 4

19,000ha (//Friuli-Venezia Giulia) for 1.9m hl/yr – 17% DOC
Verdicchio vinification

1. The fermentation on its skins and/or w Governo technique (i.e. addition of dried grapes after 1 trigger 2nd fermentation) to add sweetness and CO2 have been abandoned
2. Nowadays, the wine is made in a modern style i.e. no skin contact, temperature-controlled fermentation for light to medium fruity wines. Some use of barrel-fermented wines now appearing (e.g. Bisci)

Answer 5

11 DOCs. The key DOC/DOCGs are:

Rosso Conero DOCG (R)

1. On the slopes of the 572m high Monte Conero on the coast between Ancona & Sirolo
2. Min 85% Montepulciano w Sangiovese to complement; min 11.5%abv (Riserva 12.5%abv & min 2yrs ageing)
3. Deep ruby, dry, full bodied, tannic wines with slightly bitter finish e.g. Garofoli’s Angontano.

Verdicchio di Castelli di Jesi (W)

Largest Verdicchio area going from the coast of Ancona to the foothills of the Monte Penninoo 60% of production controlled by cooperatives and 30% by négociants

Key producers:

a. Fazi Battaglia w 3m bottles who initiated the Amphora-shaped bottle created by Milanese marketers in the 60s and now synonym w Verdicchio all over the world

b. Umani Ronchi: 4.5m btls/yr; also produces top reds
3. Others: Rosso Piceno DOC (usually dominated by Sangiovese), Verdicchio di Castelli di Matelica (enclave within V di Jesi DOC w fuller bodied wines e.g. Bucci) Lacrima di Morro d’Alba DOC