Verdicchio is one of the most representative white grape varieties of the Marche region; it is considered indigenous to the region and has historical links to the hills around Ancona and the Matelica area. The name, attested in ancient documents, probably refers to the characteristic yellowish-green hue of the grapes. The vine has medium-sized leaves, generally pentagonal or rounded in shape, with three or five lobes, and a smooth, deep green upper surface. The bunch is medium-sized, conical or cylindrical-conical in shape, often winged and moderately compact; the berries are spherical, with a firm, pruinose skin that is greenish-yellow in colour, sometimes with golden highlights when fully ripe.
It is mainly grown in the provinces of Ancona and Macerata, where it finds distinctive expression in the Verdicchi wines of Castelli di Jesi and Matelica, though the variety is also present in other areas of central Italy. The wine is characterised by a bright straw-yellow colour, often enlivened by greenish hues, and a fragrant aromatic profile, with hints of citrus, apple, white flowers, almond and mineral notes. On the palate, it offers lively acidity, savouriness, balance and a structure capable of supporting its development. In its finest expressions, it develops notes of hydrocarbons, dried fruit and spices, achieving a surprising longevity for a white wine. Its suitability for sparkling wine production and the production of passito wines is also noteworthy.
