Our Grand Canyon trip included a special bottle of wine, which led us to start planning for a Le Marche (pronounced Markay) wine journey. These days we are dreaming about exploring Italy's Le Marche wine region. We were inspired by a session at the 2021 Wine Media Conference (#WMC21) on Le Marche that featured Velenosivini wines. After learning about this wine region and tasting some Le Marche wines it makes us want to visit soon. Until we do let's begin a virtual adventure.
Roggio Del Filare, Rosso Picino D.O.C. Superioré © Spaswinefood
Enjoying Le Marche Wine at the South Rim, Grand Canyon © Spaswinefood
Off the Wine Road
Does where you drink wine make a difference? For sure drinking a Le Marche wine at edge of the Grand Canyon was an ideal setting. It was also perfect timing for reflecting on an earlier tasting of Le Marche wines.Exploring Le Marche Wines, #WMC21 © Spaswinefood
For sure tasting these wines makes you want to know more about this Italian wine region.
Italy's Marche Wine Country
Le Marche wine region is on the eastern side of central Italy. It is considered to be Italy’s coastal gem. Winemaking in Le Marche dates back thousands of years, being influenced by Etruscans, Romans and Lombards. While Le Marche is best known for its white wines Trebbiano and Verdiccho, it is also home to some big quality reds. Some of Italy’s finest Marche wines comes from Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes.
Why Le Marche, Italy © Spaswinefood
While sometimes overshadowed by its neighbors Abruzzo to the south, and Umbria and Tuscany to the west, the Le Marche wine region produces great wines. It is home to 15 DOCs and 5 DOCGs.
Marche Wine Appellations © Spaswinefood
During #WMC21 we explored wines from Marche's wine appellations of Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, and Rosso Piceno DOC's, and DOCG Pecorino.
Tasting Marche Wines
Earlier during the session conference attendees were introduced to wines by Velenosivini. Let's take a closer look at these Le Marche wines. The four Velenosi Ascoli Piceno wines tasted were:
1. Verdicchio Querciantica, Dei Castilli Di Jesi DOC Classico
Verdicchio Querciantica, Dei Castilli Di Jesi DOC Classico © Spaswinefood
Verdicchio ripens slowly, it is high in tartaric acid, and does well with aging in oak. This very versatile grape allows it to be made in many styles (dry, sweet and sparkling). It is a complex wine, characterized by aromas of fruit - peach, lemon, apple, pear, and yellow plums; floral- acacia, hawthorn, chamomile, white flower; herbs- dill, thyme, anise, basil, coriander; terry- almond, honey, beeswax, lees, Unami; minerals - iodine, flint, sea spray, petrol. While this wine is delightful young it can age, allowing for complexity, harmony and depth as it matures.
The following slide describes Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC:
Verdicchio dei Castilli di Jesi DOC © Spaswinefood
2. Villa Angela, Offida DOCG Pecorino
Villa Angela, Offida DOCG Pecorino © Spaswinefood
Pecorino, white grape variety, grows in the Marche, Abruzzo, Tuscany, Umbria and Lazio regions of Italy. Pecorino is a very old variety. Ampelographers believe that the grape is likely native to Marche. It likely originated as a wild grapevine growing in the Sibillini Mountains, and later was domesticated for wine production. This once nearly extinct grapes has been under going a revival.
Pecorino grapes ripen early. It has been described as straw yellow, having good structure, high acidity, dry with mineral characteristics and a salty undertone. This medium body wine can have fruity aromas of apple, pear, candied orange, and tropical fruit, herbal aromas (sage, mint and thyme), and a floral bouquet (such as acacia, jasmine and linden flowers).
How Did Pecorino Wine Get Its Name?
Historically this grape has ties to local shepherds (Pecora is Italian for sheep). There are interesting stories of how the grape got its name. It is thought that sheep nibbled on these grapes as the shepherds took care of their flock. Given that Pecorino is also a name for a cheese, one version of the story is - the shepherds compensated the vineyard owners for the grapes that the sheep ate with Pecorino cheese. Yes, Pecorino is a type of cheese. Another explanation is the shape of the grape bunches resembles a sheep's head.
Pecorino is one of the most common grape varieties in Le Marche. It is considered to be one of Italy's wine success stories of 21st century. Maybe native to Sibling Mountain area. It was abandoned and rediscovered at Arquata. Officially recognized as a wine in 1990, DOC in 2001, and DOCG in 2011.DOCG Pecorino, Le Marche © Spaswinefood
Le Marche's Offida Pecorino DOCG requires that for Pecorino to be made as a varietal it has to make up at least 85% of the blend, with other local, non-aromatic grapes, being permitted for the remainder.
3. Querciantica Lacrima Di Morro DOC
Querciantica Lacrima Di Morro DOC © Spaswinefood
Lacrima means tear in Italian. The grape gets its name because when the grape ripens it has a thin skin, which can easily break. Given its skin breaks easily this makes it vulnerable to pests and disease. For that and other reasons it was almost abandoned, with it being rescued in 1980's and made a DOC in 1985. The characteristics of this aromatic variety include; fruit (black cherry, dark berry); floral (violets, lavender and rose buds); and spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger). This wine has an intense ruby red color with violet hues. On palette the wine is dry with medium tannins and lingering rich flavors.
The following slide describes Lacrima Di Morro d'Alba DOC:
Lacrima Di Morro d'Alba DOC © Spaswinefood
4. Roggio Del Filare, Rosso Piceno DOC Superioré 2017
Roggio Del Filare, Rosso Piceno DOC Superioré © Spaswinefood
Rosso Piceno DOC Superioré © Spaswinefood
This Roggio Del Filare wine is a bright ruby red wine with slight garnet hues. It is made using 70% Montepulciano and 30% Sangiovese grapes. Obviously the characteristics of this Roggio Del Filare wine is influenced by the grapes that are used to make it. Now for a brief look at the characteristics of Montepulciano and Sangiovese grapes.
Characteristics of Montepulciano and Sangiovese Grapes © Spaswinefood
The wine has an intense bouquet of ripe plums and cherries, with spices and floral nuances. On the palette this full bodied wine has strong texture, rounded tannins, with a warm, lingering velvety pulp and spicy finish.
The following slide summarizes the Rosso Picino Superioré DOC:
Rosso Picino Superioré DOC © Spaswinefood
Let's make plans to go to Italy's Le Marche wine country. For sure the Wine Media session entitled Le Marche, the "new Tuscany" in Central Italy certainly was a hit. It took us to Italy's Marche wine country to learn about its inviting wines. We have since discovered that not only are there great wines but some of Italy's best cheeses are in Le Marche. Indeed Le Marche wine inspires adventures. We invite you to join us in future wine adventures in Italy and elsewhere at Wine Travels with Dr. Sharon and at Spaswinefood on Twitter and Facebook.
CHEERS!
Sharon & John
August 2021
Grand Canyon, Arizona
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Why Visit Le Marche © Spaswinefood
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