Marches

Marches is located across the Apennines from Tuscany. This central-eastern province is responsible for around 3.5% of Italian production (2006). It produces mainly white wines of which only about 15% are classified as DOC.  

The whites are dominated by the Verdicchio grape grown abundantly on the coastal flats of the Castelli di Jesi DOC and further inland at altitude among the more demanding Apennine foothills. Here the Verdicchio di Matelica DOC produces very good wines revered for their longevity. 

The Montepulciano d’Abruzzo and Sangiovese grapes lie behind the two key red wine styles: Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno. Meanwhile, the red indigenous grape Lacrima di Morro d’Alba can be refreshingly interesting.

Recommended producers: La Monacesca, Le Terrazze, Saladini Palastri