Wine Denomination from Marche
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC was established in 1968 as one of the first DOC designations in the Marche region, recognizing the historic importance of the Verdicchio grape variety in the hills surrounding the town of Jesi. The denomination has become synonymous with high-quality Italian white wine, demonstrating that indigenous varieties can produce wines of elegance, complexity, and aging potential. Today, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC represents both the traditional amphora-shaped bottle style and modern interpretations that have elevated the variety to international recognition.
The Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC covers approximately 3,000 hectares across 26 communes in the province of Ancona in the Marche region. The production zone centers on the town of Jesi and extends through the Esino Valley and surrounding hills. Key communes include Jesi, Castelbellino, Cupramontana, Maiolati Spontini, Monte Roberto, Morro d'Alba, and Serra de' Conti. Vineyards are planted on hillsides ranging from 150 to 500 meters elevation, with ideal exposures receiving both morning sun and afternoon cooling breezes from the Adriatic Sea located approximately 30 kilometers to the east.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC requires a minimum of 85% Verdicchio grapes, with up to 15% of other authorized white varieties such as Trebbiano or Malvasia Toscana permitted. In practice, most quality producers use 100% Verdicchio to showcase the variety's distinctive character. The Verdicchio grape, named for its greenish color at ripeness (verde means green in Italian), is particularly well-suited to the limestone-rich soils of the Castelli di Jesi area, producing wines with pronounced minerality, crisp acidity, and notable aging potential uncommon in Italian white wines.
Maximum yields are set at 11,000 kg per hectare for basic Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi and reduced to 9,000 kg per hectare for Classico wines from the historic core zone. Superiore designation requires lower yields of 10,000 kg per hectare and minimum alcohol of 12% (compared to 11.5% for basic wines). Riserva wines must age for at least 18 months from November 1 of the harvest year, with minimum 12.5% alcohol. Many premium producers employ extended lees aging to develop complexity and texture, while some use oak barrels for fermentation or aging to add structure to age-worthy bottlings. Sparkling versions (spumante) are also produced using both traditional and Charmat methods.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi displays a pale straw yellow color with greenish reflections, becoming more golden with age. The aroma is delicate yet complex, featuring white flowers (acacia, chamomile), citrus (lemon, grapefruit), green apple, almond, and distinctive mineral notes. On the palate, the wine is dry with bright acidity, medium body, and a characteristic bitter almond finish that provides a savory, food-friendly quality. Superiore and Riserva wines develop greater complexity with aging, showing honey, dried flowers, and nutty characters while maintaining freshness. Well-made examples can age for 5-10 years or more, evolving tertiary aromas of petrol and toast.
The Castelli di Jesi territory features distinctive calcareous clay soils with high limestone content, providing excellent drainage and imparting the pronounced mineral character that defines Verdicchio wines from this area. The hills create natural amphitheaters with varying exposures, allowing producers to select optimal sites for Verdicchio cultivation. The area benefits from a Mediterranean climate moderated by proximity to the Adriatic Sea, with warm days and cool nights during the growing season that preserve acidity while allowing phenolic ripeness. The Esino River valley creates air circulation that reduces disease pressure and moderates temperatures.
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC regulations establish strict quality standards including vineyard registration, yield restrictions, and aging requirements for various designations. The Classico subzone identifies the historic core production area with the longest Verdicchio tradition. Superiore requires higher minimum alcohol and lower yields. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Riserva DOCG, established in 2010 as a separate DOCG, recognizes the highest quality tier with extended aging requirements. All wines must undergo chemical analysis and sensory evaluation. The regulations have successfully balanced tradition with modern quality standards, enabling Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi to achieve recognition as one of Italy's finest white wines.