Colli Maceratesi is a denominazione di origine controllata wine made in the province of Macerata, in the region of

Marche Marche ( , ) is one of the twenty regions of Italy. In English, the region is sometimes referred to as The Marches ( ). The region is located in the central area of the country, bordered by Emilia-Romagna and the republic of San Marino to the ...

, Italy. The DOC was created in 1975, and allows white and red wines.

Geography

The region lies on the eastern coast of Italy, surrounding the town of Macerata. It also encompasses the towns of Sforzacosta,

Pollenza Pollenza is a ''comune'' (municipality) in the Province of Macerata in the Italian region Marche, located about southwest of Ancona and about southwest of Macerata. As of 31 December 2004, it had a population of 6,086 and an area of .All demogr ...

, Corridonia and Tolentino.

The Maceratino Grape

Like many wines of the Marche, Colli Maceratesi uses an obscure local Italian grape in its blend:

Maceratino Maceratino is a white Italian wine grape variety that is grown predominantly in the Marche along the Adriatic coast of Italy. Ampelographers believe the grape may have some relation to Greco and Verdicchio, as evidence by the several overlappin ...

. This rare grape must comprise at least 80% of the blend. Up to 20% Trebbiano Toscano, Verdicchio,

Malvasia Toscana Malvasia (, also known as Malvazia) is a group of wine grape varieties grown historically in the Mediterranean region, Balearic Islands, Canary Islands and the island of Madeira, but now grown in many of the winemaking regions of the world ...

and/or Chardonnay is also allowed.Joseph Batianich & David Lynch Vino Italiano: The Regional Wines of Italy" pg 417 Clarkson Potter Publishers The red blend must comprise at least %50% Sangiovese, with the remaining 50% allotted to any combination of

Cabernet Franc Cabernet Franc is one of the major black grape varieties worldwide. It is principally grown for blending with Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot in the Bordeaux style, but can also be vinified alone, as in the Loire's Chinon. In addition to being us ...

Cabernet Sauvignon Cabernet Sauvignon () is one of the world's most widely recognized red wine grape varieties. It is grown in nearly every major wine producing country among a diverse spectrum of climates from Australia and British Columbia, Canada to Lebanon' ...

, Ciliegiolo, Lacrima,

Merlot Merlot is a dark blue–colored wine grape variety, that is used as both a blending grape and for varietal wines. The name ''Merlot'' is thought to be a diminutive of ''merle'', the French name for the blackbird, probably a reference to the ...

and/or Montepulciano. The red wine of this appellation is called Colli Maceratesi Rosso and must comprise at least 50% of the Sangiovese grape with the remaining 50% from Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Ciliegiolo, Lacrima Merlot and Montepulciano.

References

{{reflist Italian DOC Province of Macerata Wines of Marche