[MAHR-kay] A region in central Italy running along the east coast on the Adriatic Sea between emilia-romagna and abruzzi. The Marches has about 60,000 vineyard acres and contains twelve doc areas that produce about 20 percent of the region's total wine. The doc s include Bianchello del Metauro, Colli Maceratesi, Colli Pesaresi, Esino, Falerio dei Colli Ascolani or Falerio, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba, Offida, rosso conero, rosso piceno, verdicchio dei castelli di jesi, verdicchio di matelica, and Vernaccia di Serrapetrona. Lacrima, montepulciano and sangiovese are the primary red grapes, and malvasia, trebbiano and verdicchio are the main white varieties.

Wine Lover's Companion. Copyright © 2003 by Barron's Educational Series, Inc. All rights reserved.