Marche's Grapes: Verdicchio

Verdicchio

Verdicchio is a white Italian wine grape variety grown primarily in the Marche region of central Italy. The name Verdicchio derives from verde (or green) and refers to the slight green/yellow hue that wines made from the grape can have. Verdicchio is the principal grape behind two Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines produced in the provinces of Ancona and Macerata, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. In addition to producing still wines, Verdicchio grapes are also used to make sparkling wine and straw wine. Verdicchio can produce wines that are virtually colourless with noticeably high acidity that can come across on the palate with citrus notes. According to wine expert Jancis Robinson, well made examples from favorable vintages can have flavors of lemons and slight bitter almond notes. Robinson also notes that the naturally high acidity of the grape makes it a good base cuvee variety for producing sparkling wine. According to Oz Clarke, the quality of Verdicchio wines has improved since the later half of the 20th century as producers limit yields even beyond DOC regulation to produce fuller flavored grapes that can better balance its high acidity. Clarke goes on to note that the subtlety of Verdicchio flavors allows it to pair very well with a variety of foods.