white grape · regional staple
Verdicchio
Marche, Italy
Say it
ver·dik·yoh
Three syllables; 'cchi' = hard /kk/ stop, 'o' closes as a glide — many Americans add a fourth syllable, 'ver-DIK-ee-oh', which is accepted.
On the palate
Body
medium
Acidity
high
Aromatics
pronounced
lemongreen applewhite peachalmondfennelwet stone
How you spot it blind: persistent bitter-almond finish over a saline mineral backbone
The story
First written down · 14th century, Marche, Italy
A 2001 microsatellite DNA study (Labra et al., Vitis) confirmed Verdicchio is genetically identical to Trebbiano di Soave and Turbiana (Lugana), supporting the hypothesis that Veronese migrants carried the variety south to Marche during the 15th century.
Where it lives
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC, Marche, Italy · Verdicchio di Matelica DOC, Marche, Italy · Lugana DOC, Lombardy/Veneto, Italy (as Turbiana)
Shows up as
still whitesparklingsweetVerdicchio dei Castelli di JesiVerdicchio di Matelica