Marche

The region is best known for white wine from Verdicchio, grown around Jesi and in the high inland valley of Matelica, and for reds based on Montepulciano such as Rosso Cònero and Rosso Piceno. Sangiovese is actually its most planted grape at 22 per cent, followed by Montepulciano at 20 and Verdicchio at 14, although white wine still outweighs red. Native grapes like Pecorino and Passerina in the south, and the aromatic red Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, add to the range. In 2022 the Marche made a record 1.4 million hectolitres from 15,600 hectares.

It has five DOCGs: the two Verdicchio Riservas, Castelli di Jesi and Matelica; Cònero, the Riserva of the Conero headland; Offida in the south, for Pecorino, Passerina and Montepulciano; and Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, a sparkling red. Fifteen DOCs and one IGP complete the list.