Marche’s best red wines 

Over 200 native grape varieties have been recorded in Marche, both whites and reds, making a very rich ampelographic heritage that says a lot about the region’s wine-producing prowess. The standout red wines in Marche are Rosso Conero, Rosso Piceno, and Lacrima di Morro D’Alba. Rosso Conero is a DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) designation in the area of the Conero promontory in the middle of the Adriatic Coast, which uses monovarietal Montepulciano, the same variety that can be found in Abruzzo, with the addition of up to a maximum of 15% Sangiovese. It is a red wine with an intense ruby red colour, aromas of morello cherry, small red berry fruits and spices, which also come through in the mouth. The spiciness is a characteristic that is also found in the versions that have not been rested in wood and is due to the presence of highly concentrated aromatic substances (terpenes) in the grape skins. This wine is produced in the municipalities of Riviera del Conero, Camerano, Sirolo, Numana, Castelfidardo, and Osimo. Rosso Piceno is another excellent wine, produced in the area of the Metauro river between the provinces of Pesaro and Ancona, on the border with Abruzzo. The production protocol states that the blend needs to use 35–70% Montepulciano grapes, with the rest being Sangiovese. This wine is produced in four different types: Rosso Piceno, Rosso Piceno Novello, Rosso Piceno Sangiovese, and Rosso Piceno Superiore, which all have very different organoleptic properties. 

Major red wine designations in Marche 

Rosso Piceno has a colour that ranges from purplish to ruby red, typical aromas of cherry and blackberry, and an intense palate with just the right amount of tannin. The Superiore version of this product – which has an ABV that is at least one per cent higher than the standard version – boasts more body, intensity and length. There is another red wine from Marche with unique characteristics: Lacrima di Morro d’Alba. According to the protocol, it must be produced from the Lacrima grape variety (85% to 100%), plus other red grapes. The production area is in the Ancona province in the municipalities of Morro d’Alba, Monte San Vito, San Marcello, Belvedere Ostrense, Ostra, and Senigallia, in a territory that is positively influenced by the Adriatic Sea. The soil consists of clay and limestone here, which enriches the product with minerality and intensity (especially in colour). There are at least three permitted versions: the standard, Superiore, and Passito version, plus the Novello. The standard version of Lacrima di Morro d’Alba needs to be aged for at least a year to achieve a drinkable red, light tannin and excellent freshness, with impressive body and character in the Superiore version. The Passito is a completely different product, which appeals with its aromas of jam, delicate spiciness and sweet but balanced palate. 

Pairings with Marche’s red wines 

Amidst the Marche hills that descend towards the Adriatic coast, dotted with natural valleys, we find territories that are particularly well suited to grapevine cultivation. Thanks to modern vinification techniques and favourable weather conditions, the quality of the wine in Marche greatly increased after the Second World War, and in this region there are currently over 200 permitted types of grape varieties. At the same time, Marche’s cuisine is also very renowned, especially its fish and vegetable dishes, such as ray with peppers, cuttlefish with peas, and octopus with potatoes. Next, we will look at the best pairings for red wines from Marche. Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno pair very well with traditional dishes like a rich meat sauce with agnolotti or ravioli. Conero Rosso, in particular, pairs well with tasty first courses with meat or game sauces, or with roasted or grilled red meats. Rosso Piceno, meanwhile, works well with soups and stews, pasta with slightly spicy sauces, cured meats, and local cheeses, like Casciotta d’Urbino. The Superiore versions of both denominations can be paired with more structured dishes like braised wild boar or fillet. 

More harmonious flavours and aromas 

Lacrima di Morro d’Alba is a wine that lends itself to a variety of pairings, even fish soup or stoccafisso all’anconetana (Ancona-style salted cod), one of the most famous dishes in Marche. Its ideal pairing is actually with typical traditional dishes from Marche, such as Salame Lardellato di Fabriano, ciarimboli (pork salami), liver sausages, and first courses with meat sauces. It is also excellent with white meat dishes, including spicy and structured dishes, such as rabbit, roast turkey, or grilled meats. Another pairing to try is with Ancona-style fish soup, a typical summer dish, made with local fish and served in soup plates with slices of toasted bread. Meanwhile, the Passito versions pair perfectly with small, dry desserts, but also with mature cheeses or blue cheeses. When it comes to the Colli Maceratesi DOC designation of origin, there are four types of red: standard, Sangiovese, Riserva, and Novello. These wines lend themselves to various pairings, including cured meats, cheese pizza, white meat dishes, coniglio in porchetta (porchetta rabbit), and chicken casserole. The red Colli Pesaresi, meanwhile, predominantly composed of the Sangiovese grape, is excellent when paired with roast red meats or not very mature cheeses.