Marche

Another region in central Italy, whose wines have been gaining more and more prominence in recent years. A large part of Marche consists of a range of mountains, the Apennines, which gradually descend to the Adriatic Sea. The north of Marche is cooler and rainier, while the south has a more Mediterranean character. South and west of Ancona are the two most important wine-growing areas with DOCG appellation, Conero and Castelli di Jesi, where the prized local varieties Verdicchio and Montepulciano are grown. Verdicchio is considered by many wine experts to be the most valuable white Italian autochthonous variety. In the Castelli di Jesi area, it produces complex, aromatic and structured wines, while Verdicchio from the Matelica area is pleasantly fresh and slightly bitter. In the Conero area, with its limestone soil and strong maritime influence, the Montepulciano variety thrives, producing full-bodied robust wines.