Verdicchio di Matelica, Agricola Tenuta Colpaola

A crisp and characteristically fresh wine with lively citrus notes complemented by delicate white floral nuances yet beautifully rich, creamy and complex.

Producer Note

Agricola Tenuta Colpaola embodies a passion for Verdicchio, as well as for the land that makes it unique: Matelica and the Marche region. The Porcarelli family has owned the Tenuta Colpaola estate in the Braccano Frazione of Matelica since the 1970s. For many years, the grapes were sold to the local co-operative, but in 2013 the family bottled its first wines and has not looked back since. The 10 hectares of mainly east facing vineyard is situated at 650 metres above sea level and is the highest in the Matelica denomination. It is farmed organically and is fully certified, although they choose not to put the certification on the label. Only one style of Verdicchio is produced, and the desire to preserve freshness and authenticity is highlighted by the decision to bottle with a stelvin closure.

Vineyard

The Marche in Central Italy is where the Verdicchio flourishes as one of Italy’s finest native white varieties. The name Verdicchio translates as ‘little green one’, due to a distinctive green tinge on the grapes even when fully ripe. The vineyard is located in the DOC of Verdicchio di Matelica, which has a north-south orientation running parallel to the Adriatic Sea. Mountains either side create a valley, sheltering the vines from any seaborne ventilation. The Verdicchio vines are Matelicese clones, which were planted in 2007 at a density of 3,200 vines per hectare. The Guyot trained vines are organically cultivated with east-facing orientation at 650 metres’ elevation on the hills behind Mount San Vicino, in the hamlet of Braccano. The climate is distinctively continental, with warm summers and cold winters. The diurnal temperature variation extends the growing season, producing aromatic wines with naturally high acidity. Harvests take place in the second half of October. The grapes are certified organic and are harvested by hand.

Winemaking

Vinified with minimal intervention. The highest quality grapes were selected and gently pressed. The must underwent cool static decantation and was fermented in stainless steel temperature controlled tanks, to offer a pristine expression of the Verdicchio variety and the cool-climate terroir of Matelica. The wine spent four months in stainless steel, and two months cellaring prior to release.

Tasting Note

A crisp and characteristically fresh wine with lively citrus notes complemented by delicate white floral nuances. Marked acidity underpins the fruit, with classic minerality and a saline note on the long, persistent finish.

Grape

Verdicchio 100%