Explore the Verdicchio of the Matelica region, an Italian white wine that is the elixir of youth.
The Matelica region is a special place, nurturing Matelica-Verdicchio, the 13th oldest DOC (Designation of Origin) wine region in Italy. Located in the Vallesina highlands, this valley is separated from the Adriatic Sea by the San Vicino Mountains. Here, the unique intertwining of continental and Mediterranean climates, along with the distinctive sensory characteristics and soil that imparts minerals and acidity to the wine, come together to provide each glass with a strong and vibrant sensory experience. Time seems to stand still here, allowing the wine to patiently wait in the cellar for those who hope to discover the elegance and refinement that only time can bestow. Matelica’s Verdicchio is like a slowly unfolding treasure chest, and we start exploring it from here, discovering its uniqueness with the producers who give it its distinct charm.
Vice President Antonio Cintocanti stated, “Through this journey, we hope to highlight Matelica Verdicchio, to promote our territory and wine. The Marche region must have its own identity, and the recognition and value of its products come from an understanding of the territory. What we are doing with the Marche Wine Protection Institute is promoting a territory, its uniqueness, and the beauty of its art and culture.”
The essence of Matelica’s Verdicchio lies here, hidden in the Vallesina region, spanning 8 municipalities from Camerino (Macerta) to Fabriano (Ancona). Approximately 20 producers (many of them first-generation) cultivate this grape variety on about 340 hectares of land, producing 2.5 million bottles of wine. This is a limited production, almost one-tenth of the Castelli di Jesi region, separated by the San Vicino Mountains but of absolute high quality. As explained by Roberto Potentini, winemaker at Cantine Belisario:
From here, we can see Alta Vallesina, which is the Matelica region. It is the only valley in the Marche region with a certain scale and a north-south orientation. This fact gives Matelica Verdicchio its unique characteristics. But why? Because the Verdicchio grape variety grown in Alta Vallesina thrives in a continental environment. The San Vicino mountain range acts as a barrier, blocking the heat from the sea. Therefore, here, Verdicchio feels like it’s in Trentino during winter and is equivalent to being at 43° latitude during summer, enjoying typical Mediterranean sunshine but with typical continental temperature variations. The fusion of continental and Mediterranean characteristics creates a unique and outstanding sensory profile, defining its distinct features.
If environmental conditions largely contribute to giving the product distinctly different characteristics from the neighboring Jesi Castle area, then cooperation among producers in this approximately 20-kilometer-long harvesting valley will propel Matelica Verdicchio into the market, making it a prominent tourist destination. Producers use the same language – hospitality and product quality: Fattoria La Monacesca, Cantina Belisario, Tenuta Grimaldi, Villa Collepere, Piano di Rustano, Tenuta Colpaola, Gagliardi, Marco Gatti, Provima, Società agricola Bisci, Borgo Paglianetto, Casa Lucciola, and Le Stroppigliose, among others – showcased excellent quality in the “Magnificent 16” tasting event organized by the Marche Wine Protection Institute (IMT), expressing high sensitivity to organic industries. Apart from a few experiments (such as Umberto Gagliardi’s amphora) and individual cases using barrels, they tend to use steel and concrete for stability.
Looking at its development, there is no sign of urgency to drink Matelica Verdicchio – the wine became a DOC in 1967 and a prestigious DOCG in 2010. Its long life is evident in multiple tastings, combined with characteristics expressed by some producers, emphasizing the typical features of Matelica Verdicchio: acidity, saltiness, minerality, elegance, and the potential evolutionary potential inherent in Matelica’s genes.
