Verdicchio: the great white grape of the Marche
Verdicchio is the white grape that defines the Marche, on Italy's Adriatic coast. The name comes from the Italian verde, green, a nod to the green tint the wine often shows in the glass. It is also grown in Umbria and Lazio, but its two great appellations are in the Marche: Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica. Both require at least 85 percent Verdicchio, with the rest allowed to be Trebbiano or Malvasia, and both can be made still, sparkling or as a sweet passito. The classic amphora-shaped bottle of Castelli di Jesi made the wine famous; today it is low yields and old vines that have earned Verdicchio its place among the finest white wines of Italy.
What Verdicchio white wine tastes like
Young Verdicchio is pale and fresh, with citrus, green apple and the faintly bitter almond note on the finish that is the grape's signature. Acidity is high, and that is what makes the wine both food friendly and able to age. With time in bottle or in large casks it gains weight, notes of honey, chamomile and dried fruit, and a salty, mineral length. If you like crisp, structured white wine with real character, Verdicchio is an easy choice.
Castelli di Jesi and Matelica: two sides of one grape
Castelli di Jesi is the larger zone: the hills around the town of Jesi in the province of Ancona, along the Esino river, where the sea tempers the climate. Classico marks the historic core of the zone, and since 2010 Castelli di Jesi Verdicchio Riserva has been a DOCG, with at least 18 months of ageing, six of them in bottle. Villa Bucci of Montecarotto is the great name here. Its Riserva, from old, organically farmed vines, matures in large Slavonian oak casks and is counted among Italy's finest whites. Santa Barbara with Stefano Antonucci and Le Vaglie, Fattoria San Lorenzo, Fattoria Nannì, Pievalta and CasalFarneto show the range, from fresh Classico to Riserva built to age.
Matelica lies further inland in the province of Macerata, in the upper Esino valley. The valley runs north to south and is closed off from the sea, so the climate is continental, with wide swings between day and night. Vineyards sit at roughly 300 to 450 metres on calcareous clay. The result is a tighter, more mineral and higher acid Verdicchio than the rounder style of Jesi. Verdicchio di Matelica Riserva is also a DOCG. Borgo Paglianetto, Collestefano and the Belisario cooperative are leading names from the valley.
Sparkling Verdicchio, passito and food
That high acidity makes Verdicchio a fine base for sparkling wine. Pievalta Perlugo and Collestefano Le Prata are traditional method sparklers with zero dosage, and CasalFarneto Ikon is a sweet passito from dried grapes. As on our other grape pages, you will also find wines where Verdicchio is part of a blend, such as Coenobium from the Trappist monastery at Vitorchiano in Lazio.
At the table, Verdicchio is one of Italy's most versatile whites. Its fresh acidity and almond bite suit fish and shellfish, fish stew, pasta with clams and grilled vegetables. A mature Riserva can handle white meat, mushrooms and aged cheese.
Verdicchio FAQ
Is Verdicchio a dry white wine?
Yes, almost all Verdicchio is dry. The exception is passito, a sweet dessert wine made from dried grapes.
What is the difference between Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and Verdicchio di Matelica?
It is the same grape from two zones. Jesi is closer to the sea and usually gives rounder wines, while Matelica, in a closed inland valley, gives tighter wines with more acidity.
Is Lugana made from Verdicchio?
Lugana from Lake Garda is made from Turbiana, also called Trebbiano di Lugana. DNA studies show it is very closely related to Verdicchio and to the Trebbiano di Soave of Soave. The wines are sold as Lugana, though, so you will find them on our Lugana page rather than here.
Can Verdicchio age?
The best can. A Riserva from Castelli di Jesi or Matelica can develop for many years in bottle, while fresh Classico wines are best within a few years.