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The Impressive Landscape of the Marche

With its steep coastline and picturesque greenery, the Marche resembles one large garden. Due to its special climate and limestone soils, it is not only a tourist region but also ideal for viticulture. Bold red wines and fresh white wine find a home here.

The Marche: Top-Quality Winemaking Between Sea and Mountains

The limestone soils of the region resemble the marine deposits found in Tuscany. Just like in that region, they provide optimal conditions for winemaking. This is complemented by the cool temperate climate, which is favored by the location between the sea and the mountains. This cool climate is particularly well-suited for cultivating slow-ripening grape varieties.

From an Overlooked Region to a Top Producer

In the 20th century, the Marche was not well connected to Italian infrastructure. Therefore, it received less attention: The simply structured wines were mainly geared towards tourists, not true wine connoisseurs. The Marche was thus one of the last regions in Italy to rise to high levels of recognition.

In the nineties, a shift towards high-quality winemaking finally took place. The wines from Tuscany had become more recognizable and significantly more expensive. Only the Marche continued to produce affordable wine from the Tuscan flagship variety Sangiovese. Interest quickly grew in this previously unknown region - and people discovered how well wine could be cultivated in the Marche.

The Most Famous Wine from the Marche

Rosso Conero: Bold Red Wine with Berry Aromas

Rosso Conero is grown in a limited area around the city of Ancona, covering approximately 600 hectares of vineyard. The mineral-rich limestone and chalk soils provide optimal conditions for cultivation. The vines mainly thrive on the slopes of Monte Conero.

In Rosso Conero, the Montepulciano grape variety takes center stage. It is predominantly produced as a single-varietal wine. However, if the wine is blended with Sangiovese, the proportion of Montepulciano must still be at least 85 percent. 

Rosso Conero is a bold, ruby-red wine that is vinified dry. It presents itself as dense and full-bodied with a long finish. The Montepulciano grape contributes robust tannins and fruity berry aromas. Since 2004, Rosso Conero has been classified as a DOCG wine.

Verdicchio: The Most Famous White Wine from the Marche

Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi is one of the most renowned white wines from the Marche. Previously, it primarily consisted of light, uncomplicated wines. However, in recent years, their quality has steadily improved. Verdicchio wines are now significantly higher in quality and show more finesse.

You could describe Verdicchio from the Marche in three words: fresh, fruity, and characterful. This light, dry wine is characterized by notes of apples, lemons, and nuts. Often, almond notes can be found in the finish. This Marche wine pairs particularly well with fish or seafood.

Rosso Piceno: From Flowers to Chocolate

The second most important red wine of the Marche region is Rosso Piceno. Here, grapes from the areas of Ascoli Piceno, Ripatransone, and Offida are particularly often processed. Only the Rosso Piceno from the southern part of the Marche may be labeled as Superiore.

The Sangiovese grape variety creates floral and berry aromas. However, there are also winemakers who let the Montepulciano dominate. In this case, the wine benefits more from dark, chocolaty notes. The law stipulates that Rosso Piceno must contain 35 to 70 percent Montepulciano and 30 to 60 percent Sangiovese.

Interesting Facts about the Marche Region

Where is the Marche located?

The Marche is an Italian region centered around the capital Ancona. It lies to the east of Umbria, directly facing the sea.

How large is the Marche region?

The wine-growing area of the Marche encompasses 25,000 hectares of vineyard. Approximately 1.6 million hectoliters of wine are produced here annually. Although the area lies along a coastline of about 170 kilometers, wine is still grown in the inland with its gentle hills.

What grape variety is used to produce wine in the Marche?

The most common grape variety is Montepulciano. It produces full-bodied, dense, and velvety wines. The fruity aromas often feature notes of berries or herbs.

Order Marche Wines Online at VINELLO

Are you tempted to create your own exploration tour through the Marche? Just browse our selection - VINELLO has numerous wonderful classics and exciting new discoveries in its program. Discover the diversity of wine and also benefit from our sommelier advice. Secure shopping and guaranteed prompt delivery ensure that your journey of enjoyment can begin quickly, leading you directly to the pleasure of wine.