Marche - Grape Varieties

Question 1

True or False

Verneaccia Nera is used to produce particularly distinctive red sparkling wines.

Answer 1

True

Question 2

This aromatic red grape variety is considered native to the village of Morro d’Alba in Ancona province.

The wines are remarkably perfumed with intense and unmistakable aromas of roses, violets, wild berries and spice.

Answer 2

Lacrima (!)

in Lacrima di Morros DOC created in 1985

Question 3

The three most widely planted grapes accoount for half of the total vineyard area in Marche.

Name the three grape varieties.

Answer 3

1. Sangiovese - 21%
2. Montepulciano - 19%
3. Verdicchio - 13%

Question 4

This red grape remain limited to the area surrounmding area of Serrapetrona. Some believes it is identical to Cannonau while others say the grape is native to the villlage of Serrapetrona.

Answer 4

Vernaccia Nera (!)

Question 5

This white grape can produce well structured wine and ages well, developing complexity and occassionally a characteristic flint or kerosene-like character with bottle age.

Answer 5

Verdicchio(!)

Question 6

This grape plays a dominant role in Marche’s most important bottling both as a varietal and blends with Sangiovese and is native to neighboring Abruzzo.

Answer 6

Montepulciano (!)

Question 7

What is Marche’s signature white grape and is the third most planted variety overall?

Answer 7

Verdichiio

Question 8

Marche boatsts the largest area under vine and produce some of this white grape variety’s best examples.

Thanks to its naturally high acid levels, this grape is suitable for the production of sparkling wines and sweet passito.

Answer 8

Passerina (!)

Question 9

True or False

Marche is not allowed to use the word Montepluciano on wine labels as a part of an appellation name.

Answer 9

True

Only Toscana and Abruzzo have the right to use the name Montepulciano in their appellations as a place in Toscana and as a grape in Abruzzo.

Question 10

Sangiovese tends to dominate which part, north or southern part of Marche?

What about Montepulciano grape?

Answer 10

Sangiovese tends to dominate Marche’s north while warmer southern part has Montepulciano grape, considered to be some of the best reds in Marche.

Question 11

True or False

Vernaccia Nera is related to Vernaccia di San Gimignano and Vernaccia di Oristano.

Answer 11

False

Question 12

What percentage of the total vineyard acreage is represented by international grapes in Marche?

Answer 12

5%

Question 13

This white grape also called Bianchello is principally grown around Pesaro and Urbino along the Metauro River Valley.

Answer 13

Biancame

Question 14

What is Marche’s most widely planted grape and often appears in blends with Montepulciano where it provides acidity and sour cherry fruit?

Answer 14

Sangiovese (!)

Question 15

This white grape variety is Marche’s most important white grape and is considered one of Italy’s noble native varieties.

By DNA analysis, the grape has proven to be identical to Trebbiano di Soave and very closely related to Turbiana both grown in Veneto

Answer 15

Verdicchio (!)

Question 16

This white grape variety is thought to be native to the Tronto River area near Monti Sibillini in Marche’s extreme southwestern corner.

Answer 16

Pecorino (!)

Question 17

What white grape variety has synonyms of “pagadebito” (pay the debits) or “cacciadebit” (chase the debits) due to the grape’s high yields which enabled grape growers to pay off their debts.

Answer 17

Passerina (!)

Question 18

True or False

Marche’s vineyards are almost evenely divided between red and white grapes.

Answer 18

True

Red varieties still have the lead

Question 19

The Conero winegrowing area lies at the northern limit for this red grape variety. Any further north, and the grape is not able to ripen fully. It is exactly here, in Conero, where Marche transitions from Sangiovese to this red grape variety. What is the red grape vareity?

Answer 19

Montepulciano