The Top Wines of The Marche Region
The Marche region of central Italy is hilly when not mountainous. The soil is unproductive. What a great place for wine, at present more in theory than in practice. The Marche produces two DOCG wines, Rosso Conero Riserva and Vernaccia di Serrapetrona.Rosso Conero Riserva wine label
Rosso Conero Riserva
Rosso Conero Riserva is a ruby red wine with 11.5% alcohol produced on or near the slopes of Monte Conero close to Ancona overlooking the Adriatic Sea. The famous Roman author Pliny the Elder referred to wines in this area. The wine includes at least 85% Montepulciano grapes, and may contain up to 15% Sangiovese. Rosso Conero Riserva is aged for a minimum of 24 months and may be cellared for 6 to 15 years. Serve this wine at 60-67 degrees Fahrenheit (16-20 degrees Centigrade).
Serrapetrona bed and breakfast
Vernaccia di Serrapetrona
Vernaccia di Serrapetrona is a rare intense ruby red wine with maroon highlights that weighs in at 12% alcohol. This wine was mentioned in Dante's Divine Comedy. It is grown in the central part of The Marche region with 85% Vernaccia and the remainder coming from other red grapes including Sangiovese, Montepulciano, and Cilegiolo, a lesser known local variety. This sparkling wine may be semisweet or sweet. Serve either version at 59 degrees Fahrenheit (15 degrees Centigrade).
See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Marche Region for a review of a blended red Italian wine from this region.