Verdicchio (vair-dee-kee-oh) is planted as a blending varietal in Lazio and Umbria, but in Marche, it's the primary white grape along the Adriatic coast's DOCs of Matelica and Castelli di Jesi. The former is a small area within the province of Macerata located farther inland on higher altitudes and in a cooler climate. The latter is a collection of ancient vineyards of Jesi spread among ruins of temples and Castelli (palaces) in the province of coastal Ancona. Verdicchio has been a part of wine history as far back as the Romans, and its fame spread as invading barbarians moved through the falling empire back in the 5th century AD. According to legend, Alaric I, King of the Visigoths, ordered forty mules to be loaded with barrels of Verdicchio for his soldiers as they invaded different cities en route to sack Rome. Thanks to Alaric, Verdicchio has survived 1500 years as a popular fish wine, usually sold in the shapely "anfora" bottle. Verdicchio is one to try if you like Muscadet, Albarino, and dry Sauvignon Blanc.
