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Marche Native Vines – Second Part
Rosa D'Ancona – June 20, 2006

White Native Vines

	Verdicchio
	Trebbiano Toscano or Biancame
	Passerina
	Maceratino
	Lacrima
	Vernaccia Nera or Vernaccia di Serrapetrona

Verdicchio Bianco
This is arguably the most prized white grape from the Marche region. The Verdicchio is cultivated in the whole region, where it is the base of various DOC wines, however, it is found more frequently in the province of Ancona. The varietal wine is light straw yellow, has delicate perfume, dry flavor, is harmonious with a pleasantly bitter aftertaste. It is complex to the nose, and has optimal flavor with olfactory persistence and good body.

Trebbiano Toscano (Tuscan Trebbiano), or Biancame
Morphologic, biochemical and genetic analysis has proved that the Trebbiano Toscano, Biancame or Bianchello del Pescarese (Little white from Pescara) and della Romagna (form Romagna), as well as the Procanico dell'Umbria (Procanico from Umbria) grapes belong all to the same variety. The Trebbiano Toscano is widespread mostly in the Center-South of Italy. In the Marche region the cultivation has been recorded under the name Biancame and is found mostly in the Pesaro-Urbino province. Here part of the grapes are used to produce some Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) wines. The wines made with this grape have straw yellow color, delicate perfume and dry flavor, are fresh, harmonious and pleasant. Thanks to its neutral taste, the Trebbiano Toscano is particularly suited for the production of vini passiti (dessert wines made with partially withered grapes), or traditional production such as the Vino Cotto (Cooked Wine.)

Passerina
This ancient vineyards is also known as Campolese, Cacciadebito and Pagadebito in the Ascoli area. Vineyards with this grape are found mostly around Ascoli Piceno, where it is a component of some DOC wines. This vine was widely dropped during the 1960s, however, in the last decade it has seen an inversion in this trend and has awaken the interest of many wine producers. The Passerina grape can be used either as varietal or in blend with other grapes. In the first instance the wine produced is strongly typical, with good aromatic intensity. The high acidity allows for the production of excellent sparkling wines, produced either according to the classic or Charmat method.

Pecorino
Ancient vine known also as Vissanello, Mosciolo and Forconese. During the 1970s the Pecorino was confined in old vineyards surviving in the foothills of Macerata and Ascoli Piceno, but recently it has been 're-discovered', and attracted the attention of various vintners. Currently it is cultivated mostly in the province of Ascoli Piceno, where it is used in producing a number of DOC wines. The varietal wine has straw yellow color with greenish highlights, intense perfume with floral nuances, typical flavor with high acidity, is slightly bitter, and has great structure. It's used mostly in blends, to which it brings solid structure, good acidity and alcohol content.

Maceratino (Small from Macerata)
This ancient Marche vine is known also as Montecchiese (from Montecchio), Ribona, Matelicano (from Matelica) and Greco-Maceratese (Greek from Macerata). It is found exclusively in the province of Macerata, where is used to produce some DOC wines which present straw yellow color with golden highlights, characteristic perfume, and sapid, harmonic flavor.

Pignoletto
This white grape is known in the Marche region as Pulcinculo, Strozzavolpe, Pistillo and Occhietto. Analysis determined that it was a Pignoletto biotype, which in turn, turned out to be the same as the Grechetto grape . The wine produced with this grape has a straw yellow color with greenish highlights, scent of fruits and flowers, and has sufficient acidity and good structure.

Red Native Vines

Lacrima (Tear)
This red grape vine was widely cultivated in the region at the end of the 19th century. Currently it is found exclusively in the Morro d'Alba wine zone and surrounding municipalities in the Ancona province. It is used to make the Lacrima di Morro, or Lacrima di Morro d'Alba DOC wine . This grape produces intense ruby red colored wines, with intense and pleasant perfume. The scent of the Lacrima wines is dominated by strong violet and rose aromas and it's unmistakable. The flavor is pleasant and soft. Medium body.

Vernaccia Nera (Black Vernaccia), or Vernaccia di Serrapetrona (Vernaccia from Serrapetrona)
In the foothill areas of the Marche regions three vine varieties are cultivated which partially share the name– Vernaccia Nera, better known as Vernaccia di Serrapetrona, Vernaccia Cerretana and Vernaccia Moscatella. The three varieties, however, do not share morphologic characteristics, nor follow similar behavioral patterns. In 1877, the author Di Rovasenda, believed that these were among the best grapes grown in the Ancona area. Currently the Vernaccia Nera is cultivated exclusively in the province of Macerata, and is used to make the only Marche DOCG wine, the Vernaccia di Serrapetrona. The wine is sparkling with ruby red color, which can be more or less intense. The scent is characteristic and delicate, the flavor is harmonic and pleasantly dry.

Outstanding Producers

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