Jesi Wine Region

Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi is a wine region for white wines. It is located in the Marches region of central Italy. Jesi wine appellation produces one of the most famous and historic dry white wines from the old Verdicchio grape variety. The wine-producing area contains the hilly region around the town of Jesi in the province of Ancona. Let's dive into the Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi wine region's characteristics and sights.

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History of Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi

The history of Verdicchio has its origins in extremely ancient times and it appears unavoidable that it was known among the old Romans. The first written evidence of a wine produced on this area dates back to 410 AD. when, towards the peak of the problem of the Roman Empire, our peninsula was struck by herds of barbarians.

The Castelli di Jesi is a group of cities in the Vallesina area around the historic city of Jesi. In the Middle Ages, these parts had been slowly overpowered and then subjected to the Contido di Jesi, which was granted the title of Royal City by Emperor Frederick II of Swabia who was held here on 26 December 1194. It is said that Constance D'Altavilla gave in the light of Emperor Frederick during his travels to Rome in an encampment set in the city center.

The term "Verdicchio" derives from "Verde", and displays the greenish and bright reflections of the wine produced from these grapes. About the origin of this type of white grape variety, there are inconsistent opinions: the majority thinks that it is an ethnic vine, others attribute its appearance in the Marche following the accommodation in the territory of some Venetian settlers.

The first documents that officially speak about Verdicchio date back to the mid-1500s, and since then, it has always been a crucial part of the Jesi wine region.

Terroir of Castelli di Jesi Wine Region

The wine-producing zone of Castelli di Jesi contains the hilly territory around the town of Jesi in the province of Ancona. This area features many medieval fortified towns – the Castelli of the DOC title. The terroir here is perfect for dry white wines because of calcareous, clay, and limestone-rich soils and a relatively dry maritime climate.

The temperate climate here is due to Jesi's proximity to the Adriatic, and different regional rivers such as the Cesano and Esino. The east-west course of the rivers and their related valleys provide the area with constant gentle winds, onshore during the morning and offshore in the late afternoon. This ventilation helps prevent fungal infections such as grey rot and mildew.

Although the production zone for Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi comes within 6.2 miles of the Adriatic at Morro d’Alba, the traditional vineyards for Verdicchio lie west of the town of Jesi, 12-18 miles from the sea and in two groups of hills. These lie on either the left bank or the right bank of the Esino river, at between 200-500 meters. The predominant soil type is calcareous clay, nuanced by the presence of sand, fossil, or mineral deposits. The unique terroir allows Verdicchio to ripen slowly while retaining its acidity.

Famous Grape Varieties from Jesi Wine Region

Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi produces dry white wines from the ancient Verdicchio grape variety. Verdicchio means "little green one", and it is straw-colored with pronounced green tinges and has a correspondingly "green" aroma profile. This grape variety has crisp acidity and a pleasant, slightly bitter aftertaste redolent of toasted almonds. These characteristics make it an ideal match with regional seafood dishes.

As well as the dry whites, other forms of Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi are made. These include dried-grape passito wines, that can be either sweet or dry and foaming spumante. The DOC also has a theoretically ideal Classico sub-zone. The Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi Superiore title denotes wines with an extra 0.5 percent of final alcohol by volume.

Verdicchio is a fresh, salty, austere wine, and you will remember it because of its citrus fruit, aromatic herbs, and dry and almondy finish. The trinity of the almond-lemon-elderberry on a mineral experience will make you recognize it quite easily. If it makes wood aging, it develops buttery Chardonnay-style notes.

In recent years, the winemakers of the Jesi region have been focusing on this indigenous grape variety, and both clonal selection and low yields have transformed it into a structured, elegant, ambitious wine with thickness.

Food to pair with Jesi Wine Region

Salame di Fabriano

Salame di Fabriano is an Italian salami originating from Fabriano in the Ancona area. This dish is famous in Jesi wine appellation and people love eating it with local wine. This salami is cooked with pork thigh and shoulder as the main ingredients. The pork fat is cut into cubes and salted, while the lean meat is ground.

The combination is mixed with salt and pepper, then stuffed in the pig's large intestine, which has been previously washed and dipped in wine. Italians make the salami from late September to early May, and it must age for at least 60 days before consumption. We recommend tasting this salami while visiting Verdicchio Dei Castelli di Jesi.

Fritto Misto

Fritto Misto is a famous Italian dish, but you will see its numerous varieties across the country. Along the Italian seaside, it always includes crustaceans and mollusks, typically shrimp and squid, and often paranza, which is a collaborative name for very small whole fish such as fresh sardines, anchovies, or mullet.

In northern parts of the country, particularly in Piedmont, Fritto Misto is mostly made with vegetables and, depending on the season, includes semolina, veal brain, brochettes of cheese, and prosciutto, sometimes even apples and amaretti biscuits. In the Marche region, every frittura Mista includes the famous olive accolade, green olives stuffed with finely minced meat, often accompanied by fried semolina, squash blossoms, and lamb chops; while in the Neapolitan area Fritto Misto is prepared with no fish other than a few anchovies, crumbed fried mozzarella, and various seasonal vegetables such as cauliflower and artichokes in winter, eggplant, and zucchini in summer.

Places to visit in Jesi Wine Appellation

Town Jesi

Jesi is a town and comune of the province of Ancona in Marche, Italy. It is an essential industrial and creative center on the left bank of the Esino river 17 kilometers before its mouth on the Adriatic Sea.

Jesi was one of the last towns of the Umbri when, in the 4th century BC, the Senones Gauls raided the area and ousted them. They turned it into a fortress against the Piceni. Since 1130, it was an independent commune, gradually expanding its control over its surrounding region. In December 1194, the future Holy Roman Emperor Frederick II was born there.

Jesi was a great city during the Middle Ages and Renaissance, so there are many beautiful palaces and buildings. Some highlights are Palazzo Della Signoria, formerly the rulers' palace, Palazzo Balleani, the "diamond-studded" Palazzo Ricci, and Palazzo Ripanti, which houses the impressive collection of the Diocesan Museum.

Town Corinaldo

Corinaldo is a town in the Province of Ancona, within the Marche region of central Italy. It is located around 80 kilometers north of Assisi. It is home to well-preserved 14th-century walls and was the birthplace of Saint Maria Goretti.

The walls of Corinaldo are 912 meters long and are believed to be the most remarkable medieval walls in the Marche region. They are the character of the city of Corinaldo. However, the current walls are not the original ones. Indeed, as a result of the papal reconquest of the town, the papal army of Innocent VI, led by Galeotto I Malatesta, razed Corinaldo to the ground on August 18, 1360. Only seven years later, Pope Urban V granted authorization for the reconstruction.

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