Verdicchio

[vehr-DEEK-kyoh] A white-wine grape grown mainly in Italy's marches region where it's been cultivated since the fourteenth century. Verdicchio's name is derived from verde (meaning green), referring to the yellow-green skin of the grape, which gives the wine a subtle greenish hue. The wines are generally crisp and dry with a light but elegant aroma and flavor. The best known of the Verdicchio wines come from the doc of verdicchio dei castelli de jesi which can include small amounts of trebbiano and malvasia. Part of the notability of these wines comes from the unusual green, amphora (two-handled urn)-shaped bottle in which it comes. The wines from the DOC of verdicchio dei matelica are not as well known as those from Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi but are thought by many to be as good or better because they're more full-bodied (see body) and have better aging potential. The high acid levels of the Verdicchio grape makes it a good candidate for sparkling wines and the spumante made from this variety receives good reviews. Verdicchio is also known as Marchigiano and Verdone.

The noun has 2 meanings:

Meaning #1: a variety of white wine grape grown in Italy

Meaning #2: a dry white Italian wine made from Verdicchio grapes

This article is about the grape. For the family name, see Verdicchio (surname).

For the Italian grape known as Verdicchio nera, see Greco (grape).

Verdicchio is a variety of white grape grown in the Marche region of Italy and gives its name to the varietal white wine made from it. The name is a derivative of the word "verde" which means green due to its slight green/yellow hue.

Its high quality white wines are produced around the area of Castelli di Jesi and Matelica, and are noted for their high acidity and a characteristic nutty flavour. Depending on vinification techniques and on the vintage, the verdicchio ranges from fresh, everyday wines, to wines rich in bouquet and structure, sometimes even capable of aging for ten years or more.

Verdicchio grapes are also used to make sparkling wine and straw wine.

References

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