Verdicchio

Verdicchio is a high quality grape from the eponymous DOC in the Marche region of central Italy.

The wines usually have a good body, with high acidity. It commonly has citrus, almond and faintly spicy flavours.

The best examples are from the Macerata and Ancona provinces, known as Verdicchio di Materica DOC and Verdicchio dei Castello di Jesi DOC. It’s known for being sold in amphora-shaped bottles.

The name derives from the Italian word for green, verde, in reference to the green tinge seen in the berries and the resultant wines. It has has been a popular wine in Italy since the 15th century.

Style

The fruit tends towards slow-ripening, preserving the acidity so that they are often crisp and refreshing when young, as well as enjoyable when aged.

In his book Native Wine Grapes of Italy, Ian D’Agata asserts that ‘Verdicchio is arguably Italy’s greatest native white grape variety’.