Marche

Occupying a long stretch of Adriatic coast with the Apennines as a backdrop, The Marche is more variable than one might imagine, with a continental climate of hot summers and cool winters in its northern reaches, to a warm Mediterranean climate in the south. Being on the ‘wrong’ side of the Apennines from the country’s commercial axis of Milan-Bologna-Florence-Rome-Naples has meant the region has often been left behind when it comes to investment and opportunity and although Verdicchio is internationally known, few of its other wines are, despite the obvious quality potential for Sangiovese and Montepulciano here. There are 15 DOCs and 4 DOCGs in the region as well as an IGP Marche for the whole area. Sangiovese features in 6 DOCs (those in the cooler north), whilst Montepulciano dominates in the south. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica DOC, both of which have Riserva DOCGs, are the most significant white sub-regions. Rosso Piceno DOC, with its wide variety of style using Montepulciano to Sangiovese, both oaked and un-oaked, is the most noteworthy sub-region for reds.