Colli Pesaresi Wine Region Guide

Renowned for its Pinot Noir and Sangiovese, the Colli Pesaresi wine region is the northern jewel of the Marche region of Italy, producing a wide range of wines. The wines from the region were known as saviors to the greatest composer of the region, Gioacchino Rossini while composing the famous opera “The Barber of Seville”. Colli Pesaresi wine region covers 113 hectares of vineyards and produces 4930 hectolitres of wines annually. The region has always been focused on the quality of wines rather than quantity which allowed Colli Pesaresi to hold a reputation in the wine community across the world. The region received its DOC in 1996. 

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Where is the Colli Pesaresi wine region?

Colli Pesaresi wine region is located in the northern corner of the Marche wine region of Italy. The region stretches from Romagna in the north, along the riverbank of Foglia, Metauri, and Cesano, and towards the coastal area of Pesaro and Fano by the Adriatic Sea. Colli Pesaresi wine region encompasses municipalities of Barchi, Caroceto, Colbordolo, fano, Fossombrone, Fratte Rosa, Gabicce Mare, Gradara, Isola del Piano, Motebaroccio, Mondavio, mondolfo, Montecalvo, Moteciccardo,m montefelcino, Montelabbate, Montemaggiore al Metauro, Monte Porzio, Orciano di Pesaro, Pergola, Pesaro, Petriano, Piagge, Saltara, San Costanzo, San Giorgio, San Lorenzo, Sant’Angelo, Sant’Ippolito, serrungarina and Tavullia and some area in Auditore, Cagli, Fermignano, Sassocorvaro, Tavoleto and Urbino. 

History of the Colli Pesaresi wine region

The Sangiovese wines from the Colli Pesaresi wine region were mentioned in a book dated 1596 and described as excellent wines from Fano. The wines from the region were exported in bulk to Venice during this era. The wine industry in Colli Pesaresi was affected by the conflict between Marche and Romagna in the late 1960s as Romagna winegrowers claimed to have the exclusive right to use the name Sangiovese. The conflict ended in 1972 with evidence that the Sangiovese grapes were planted in the Colli Pesaresi vineyards for centuries. During mid 20th century, Colli Pesaresi was known for red wines labeled as Sangiovese dei Pesaresi. Currently, the region produces 9 DOC wines including red, rose and white wines predominantly made from Pinot Noir. 

The terroir and geography of the Colli Pesaresi wine region

The Colli Pesaresi wine region has more of a continental climate than the southern part of the Marche wine region. The region is hot during summer. The climate is cooler due to cold winds flowing across the region to the Adriatic sea from the Balkan states. The region is further divided into 3 sub-zones according to geography, Roncaglia- the hilly area of Pesaro specializing in white wines, Focara- the subcommunity of Pesaro specializing in red wines, and the Parco Naturale Monte san Bartolo- subzone in the commune of Gabicce Mare, Gradara, and Pesaro. 

Popular grape varieties from the Colli Pesaresi wine region

The major of all grape varieties grown in the Colli Pesaresi are Sangiovese and Pinot Noir. Pinot Noir in the region is the most equatorial production of Pinot grapes in Europe with a latitude of 43 degrees. Other grapes cultivated in the Colli Peasaresi wine region are as follows. 

Red Varietals: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Noir, and Sangiovese.

White varietals: Biancame, Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Welschriesling, and Albanela.

Food to pair with Colli Pesaresi wine 

Beef ribs

The beef rib is a cut of beef from the rib primal of a cow. They are considered to be one of the most flavorful types of ribs, as well as one of the more expensive cuts. Beef ribs are one of the most popular meat selections in America. They are also known as "short ribs" and are usually cut into three or four-inch pieces. They can be smoked, grilled, or roasted to create a succulent dish. A beef rib grilled is a dish that can be prepared in many ways. It is a cut of meat from the rib section of a cow and it typically has more fat than other cuts. This cut is often used for grilling because it has more fat and will stay moist during the cooking process. To prepare this dish, you need to season the meat with salt and pepper before cooking it. You can also add your favorite spices to enhance the flavor. When you are ready to grill, you should cook the meat over medium-high heat on both sides until it reaches an internal temperature of 145 degrees Fahrenheit. Then, wrap it in aluminum foil and let it rest for 15 minutes before serving.

Tournedos Rossini

The Tournedos Rossini is an iconic dish that originated in France. The Tournedos Rossini is a dish from French cuisine, made of beef tenderloin. Filet mignon is pan-fried in butter before being served atop a crouton in this rich and indulgent dish. Gioachino Rossini, a 19th-century musician, inspired the dish's name. It was invented by either French master chef Marie-Antoine Carême, Adolphe Dugléré, or Auguste Escoffier of the Savoy Hotel. The dish is finished with a Madeira demi-glace sauce and garnished with pieces of black truffle.

Places to visit in the Colli Pesaresi wine region

Sphere Within Sphere by Arnaldo Pomodoro

Sphere within a sphere, also known as Sfera con Sfera in Italian, is a series of sculptures created by Arnaldo Pomodoro for the Vatican Church in the 1960s. It is a massive metal spherical with another sphere visible through the fractured surface. Later, the artist collaborated with other organizations, and his sculptures can be found in prominent locations around the world, including the United Nations headquarters, Trinity College, Christian Theological Seminary, Tehran Museum of Contemporary Art, Columbus Museum of Art, Tel Aviv University, and others.

Civic Museum of Palazzo Mosca

The Civic Museum of Palazzo Mosca is one of Italy's most important museums, located in the Marche region's Pesaro. The museum houses some of the region's most important art and decorative works and is housed in a 600-year-old palace owned by the municipality. Discover works from different eras, such as the Pesaro Altarpiece, a massive altarpiece from the Renaissance period. The museum also exhibits artifacts relating to Gioachino Rossini, the finest composer of the region who is famed for writing "the Barber of Seville".

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Frequently asked questions about Colli Pesaresi