Marche Flashcards
Which other Italian wine regions border Marche?
Emilia Romagna to the north
Tuscany to the west
Abruzzo to the south
It extends from the Adriatic sea in the west to the Apennines
What red grapes dominate in Marche?
Montepulciano
Sangiovese
Is more red or white wine produced in Marche?
Red wine
What price points do most wines in Marche fall into (both red and white)?
Inexpensive to mid range
Some Riserva wines can attract premium prices
In the Marche, where is most land suitable for grape growing situated?
On low hills rising from the coast
What climate is the Marche?
Warm Mediterranean, with hot, dry summers
More inland, west of Ancona, how does the climate differ to the more coastal areas of Marche?
The climate is more continental with dry autumns
What soils dominate the Marche region?
Limestone and clay, which provide balance between being free draining and retaining sufficient water
Give the key characteristics of Verdicchio
White grape
Medium (-) intensity
White flower, lemon, apple, fennel, bitter finish
High acidity
Medium body
Main white variety in Castelli di Jesi DOC
Why is Verdicchio often planted at low densities?
It needs space to grow as the first buds are sterile
Is Verdicchio a late or early ripening varietal? What effects can this have?
Verdicchio is late ripening, but retains acidity well
As a late ripener, Verdicchio can be affected by autumn rains at harvest
What fungi is Verdicchio particularly susceptible to?
Mildew
Botrytis bunch rot
Name the grape variety from the following characteristics:
White grape
Medium (-) intensity
White flower, lemon, apple, fennel, bitter finish
High acidity
Medium body
Main white variety in Castelli di Jesi DOC
Verdicchio
Explain what decisions may be taken in the winery if producing an early drinking style of Verdicchio (3)
Avoid MLF
Avoid lees ageing
Hold for 4 to 6 months in stainless steel
Explain what decisions may be taken in the winery if producing Riserva Verdicchio wine
Some may undergo MLF for more texture
Age on lees in old oak barrels for additional texture
Where is Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio DOC located?
Where are the vineyards, and in what soils?
In the low hills west of Ancona in the Marche regions
Vineyards are in the valley on clay and limestone soils
What is the maximum yield for Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio DOC?
98hl/ha
What is the maximum yield for Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Classico Superiore DOC?
77hl/ha
What is the minimum ageing requirement for Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva DOC wines?
18 months (can be in oak)
Where is Verdicchio di Matelica DOC located?
In the foothills of the Apennine mountains in Marche
Describe the climate in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC
What geographical feature influences the temperatures here?
Continental climate with hot days and cold nights
The mountains protect the zone from influence from the sea
Compared to vines by the sea, describe the growing season in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC
Longer growing season in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC as it is more inland with a more continental climate
Cooler nights mean the growing season is longer and grapes retain their acidity
Describe the soils found in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC
A mixture of sandstone and fossils
Faster draining than Castelli di Jesi
What is the maximum yield in Verdicchio di Matelica DOC?
91hl/ha
Describe how Verdicchio di Matelica DOC wines might differ in style to Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio DOC
Verdicchio di Matelica DOC wines are:
Fuller bodied
Higher acidity
Less overtly fruity
What is the minimum alcohol level for Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG?
12.5%
What is the minimum ageing requirement for Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva DOCG?
18 months (can be in oak)
Give the key characteristics of Pecorino
Medium intensity Herbal, sage, thyme, mint, apple, pear Low acidity Medium body High alcohol
Is Pecorino a late or early ripening varietal? What effects can this have?
It is early ripening, meaning it avoids rains at harvest
How might the majority of growers train Pecorino vines and why?
Train long in guyot or pergola
The vine has sterile buds near the trunk - needs to be trained longer to bear fruit
Clonal selection is being used to improve productivity
Name the grape variety from the following characteristics:
White grape Medium intensity Herbal, sage, thyme, mint, apple, pear Medium body Low acidity High alcohol Mainly found in the south of Marche and in Abruzzo High disease resistance
Pecorino
Is Pecorino typically a variety suited to long ageing?
No - most wines are released early to retain primary fruit character
A minority of DOCG wines may be aged in old oak for 12 to 18 months for additional texture
Give the key characteristics of Passerina
White grape
Ripe lemon and yellow apple
High acidity (can start to drop once mature)
Found in Marche and Abruzzo
Name the grape variety from the following characteristics:
White grape
Ripe lemon and yellow apple
Mid to late ripening (open to rain at harvest)
High acidity (can start to drop once mature)
Found in Marche and Abruzzo
Passerina
Give the key characteristics of Biacame
Local Marche varietal
Fresh, crisp wines for local consumption
Give a tasting note for a simple Montepulciano wine made for easy drinking. Comment on the length of maceration.
Medium intensity Ripe cherry fruit No oak flavours Medium body Medium tannin
Short maceration for simpler lighter wines is 4 to 5 days
Give a tasting note for a complex Montepulciano wine made for ageing. Comment on the length of maceration and the vessels used.
Pronounced intensity
Red cherry, black plum fruit
Sweet spice from oak
Medium (+) tannins
Maceration would typically be longer, around 20 days, but care must be taken not to extract too much tannin
Ageing typically in large oak vessels
What fungi is Montepulciano resistant to?
Downy mildew
Botrytis
What fungi is Montepulciano prone to?
Powdery mildew
Why does Montepulciano require more aeration during winemaking?
It is susceptible to developing more reductive sulphur compounds
Pump overs and rack and return can help to bring oxygen into the wine
Does Montepulciano ripen relatively evenly or unevenly? What effect does this have?
Unevenly within bunches
This leads to lower quality unless picking is very selective
What grapes, and at what proportions, are permitted in Rosso Piceno DOC?
35% to 85% Montepulciano
Often blended with Sangiovese to add acidity
Where is Rosso Piceno DOC?
Covers a large area in the middle of the Marche
How does Rosso Piceno Superiore DOC differ to Rosso Piceno DOC?
Superiore wines require a higher level of alcohol
Superiore wines must age for one year before release
Superiore wines can only be made with fruit from 13 townships in the Ascoli Piceno province
What is the main grape in Offida Rosso DOCG, and what are the minimum and maximum proportions that this must be in the wine?
85% - 100% Montepulciano
What is the minimum ageing requirement of Offida Rosso DOCG?
2 years
1 year must be in oak
What is the main grape in Rosso Conero DOC, and what are the minimum and maximum proportions that this must be in the wine?
85% - 100% Montepulciano
Where is Rosso Conero DOC?
South of Ancona, in the Marche region
What is the main grape in Rosso Conero Riserva DOCG, and what are the minimum and maximum proportions that this must be in the wine? What is the only other grape permitted if blending?
85% - 100% Montepulciano
Sangiovese is the only permitted blending partner
What is the minimum ageing requirement of Rosso Conero Riserve DOCG?
2 years
1 year must be in oak
What characteristics does Sangiovese contribute when blended with Montepulciano?
Red cherry flavour
High acidity
High tannins
What is the name of the consortium in Marche which represents 75% of individual denominations and 80% of exports
The IMT
Instituto Marchigiano di Tutela Vini
How much Marche wine is exported by value?
One third
What are the leading markets for Marche wines?
USA
Canada
China
Japan
Are Verdicchio plantings increasing or decreasing? Why?
Decreasing - Pinot Grigio is becoming more popular
Name the two most important private wine companies in Marche
Umani Ronchi
Fazi Battaglia
Name the most important co-op in Marche
Moncaro
When does Passerina ripen?
Mid to late (open to rain at harvest)
