Marche Region: Blessed with Beautiful Nature
In addition to its beautiful natural tourist attractions (especially its beaches), Marche is home to Urbino, praised as "the ideal city of the Renaissance"; Loreto, an important pilgrimage site where the Holy House of Jesus Christ is said to have been transferred; Ancona, a port city that has prospered since ancient times; and Ascoli Piceno, the capital of the Piceni people who lived in this area before ancient Rome.
In the beautiful green hills, grapes are cultivated, producing a balanced array of white and red wines. Verdicchio, the main white wine, is considered one of the most interesting indigenous white grape varieties in Italy.
Hilly Region: Producing a Balanced Array of White and Red Wines
In the inland areas of the northern Pesaro province, DOC Colli Pesaresi is known for its Sangiovese-based red wines. Around Ancona, the regional capital, lies the production area of DOC Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi achieved global success in the 1950s with its amphora-shaped bottles, becoming a symbol of Italian restaurants. Since the 1980s, standard bottles have become mainstream, and quality has improved. Verdicchio is a variety with good acidity, producing various types of white wines, from fresh and fruity simple white wines for early consumption to deep wines with long aging potential.
Around Monte Conero, DOC Rosso Conero is produced. The variety is at least 85% Montepulciano. From this, DOCG Conero was established in 2004. This also uses at least 85% Montepulciano, with the remainder being Sangiovese. Additionally, the aromatic and distinctive red wine Lacrima di Morro is a memorable pour.
In the Matelica Valley, DOC Verdicchio di Matelica is produced. Here, Verdicchio wines with high acidity, rich minerality, and long aging potential are made.
In Serrapetrona, the rare Vernaccia Nera grape variety is used to produce DOCG Vernaccia di Serrapetrona. This is a rare sparkling red wine with a black pepper aroma, available in a wide range of styles from dry to sweet.
Mediterranean Cuisine: A Symphony of Sea and Mountain Delicacies
The most famous dish in the Marche region is Olive ascolane, large green olives stuffed with minced meat and fried. It is a classic appetizer often served and now eaten throughout Italy.
Ciauscolo, a pork salami, is also famous. With a short curing period, it is close to raw and soft, so it is eaten spread on bread like a pâté. It pairs exceptionally well with Lacrima di Morro d'Alba and Vernaccia di Serrapetrona.
Another signature dish of the region is Vincisgrassi, a rich lasagna with sauces made from prosciutto, pancetta, and chicken giblets. DOCG Conero is an excellent match for this. Brodetto di pesce, a fish soup made with Adriatic fish, is prepared in various coastal areas, but the one from Ancona is particularly famous. Coniglio in porchetta, rabbit stuffed and oven-baked, has a delicate flavor and pairs very well with Rosso Piceno.
Source, Quotation, and Reference Material:
"Professional's Italian Wine Manual: Italian Wine 2018-2021 Edition" Publisher: Wine Kingdom Co., Ltd. Supervisor: Isao Miyajima Cooperation: Nichio Shoshi Co., Ltd.
