Ciu Ciu Arbinus Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico 2021

Often overlooked in favour of neighbouring Tuscany or Abruzzo, Marche sits along the Adriatic coast in central Italy, bordered by Emilia-Romagna, Umbria and Abruzzo. Its hilly inland zones flatten out into plains as they near the coast, and that varied topography, along with the clay and limestone soils around Jesi and Matelica, gives the region excellent conditions for fresh, balanced wines.

Marche is best known for its whites, above all Verdicchio, a textural variety with real ageing potential and a signature green apple fruit. The reds are increasingly interesting too, led by Montepulciano and Sangiovese and joined in smaller pockets by local grapes like Lacrima and Vernaccia Nera, a mix of both indigenous and international varieties.