Let's hear it for Italy's great Verdicchio
Never let a little thing like pronunciation get in the way of deliciousness. Verdicchio is a case in point.
Ver-deek-ee-oh is the correct pronunciation, for those concerned about such matters, but most Italians are just happy that you have chosen one of their wines and tried to say the word. It's worth taking the plunge in this case and as we have a new addition to our Verdicchio range at Regional, it seems worth diving a little into what makes this white wine taste so good.
The name refers to the grape, which comes from central Italy and specifically from the Marche region; opposite Tuscany and slightly further south on the east coast.
What does Verdicchio taste like?
Well, in a nutshell, we're talking about a dry wine, typically with a medium body and rich textural qualities, which means it fills the mouth, in this case with a silky feel, but without being over bearing. Flavours run the gamut of almonds and green herbs to white peach, while retaining an unmistakable dry style. This is a complex wine, often even at lower prices.
Where is Verdicchio from?
There's the millions dollar question. It is regarded as a wine from central Italy's Marche region on the Adriatic coast; a mountainous and beautiful part of Italy. But it is also fairly common to find Verdicchio in Umbria and Lazio, but wait, yes there's more. DNA profiling has shown in the not too distant past that there is a wine from Lombardy (in northern central Italy) that goes by the name Trebbiano Lugana, which just so happens to fit the same exact DNA details as Verdicchio. No wonder that wine also tastes surprisingly complex when basic Trebbiano can be nothing to write home about.
So, onto the wines we have bearing the name Verdicchio.
Try these... Pop in to buy these exceptional dry whites
Felici Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi 2022 RRP $35.99
Fresh, waxy in texture and complex in taste with dry flavours of lemon, almond and green herbs, Verdicchio (pronounced Ver-deek-ee-oh) is one of Italy's great white wines and is a hidden treasure on our shelves here at Regional because New Zealanders can easily relate to its bright crisp qualities. Its flavours span the gamut of ripe lemons and fresh herbs through to waxy, full bodied textural qualities. Sealed with a screwcap.
Umani Ronchi Verdicchio Casal di Serra 2021/2022 RRP $33.99
A classic standard bearer, sealed with a screwcap to retain the innate freshness of Verdicchio's naturally high acidity. This one is a keeper - drinks well now and has complexity but can also age.
San Lorenzo Le Oche Verdicchio 2021 RRP $33.99
Complex, dry, full bodied and more savoury than the wines above. A very good wine and great value for money.
Garofoli Podium Verdicchio Superiore 2017/2019 RRP $39.99
Special $36.99
One of the great whites of Italy; Garofoli's Podium is an outstanding expression of Verdicchio and how it can age superbly while retaining fresh, dry, complex flavours.
A must try.
Buy Garofoli Podium Verdicchio Superiore here