Region: Marche
History: Established as a DOC in 1972
Vineyard Area: 193 ha / 477 acres (2013, V)
Production: 4,960 hl (total 2013/14, V); avg. 57,425 cases bottled annually
Principal White Grape Varieties: Biancame, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Verdicchio, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Sangiovese
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh): Minimum 75% Biancame, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine), Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano Toscano (locally Albanella), Verdicchio, and/or Welschriesling (aka Riesling Italico) + OANWG
- Bianco from subzone Roncaglia (Wh): Minimum 25% Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine); maximum 75% Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc, and/or Trebbiano
- Biancame (Wh): Minimum 85% Biancame + OANWG
- Pinot Nero from subzone Focara or Roncaglia only (Wh): Minimum 90% Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine) + OANG
- Trebbiano (Wh): Minimum 85% Trebbiano + OANWG
- Riserva (Roncaglia Bianco)
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro): Minimum 70% Sangiovese + OANRG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd): Minimum 70% Sangiovese + OANRG
- Rosso from subzone Focara (Rd): Minimum 50% Cabernet Franc, Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and/or Pinot Nero + OANRG
- Cabernet Sauvignon from subzone Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo only (Rd): Minimum 85% Cabernet Sauvignon + OARG
- Pinot Nero from subzone Focara or Roncaglia only (Rd): Minimum 90% Pinot Nero + OANG
- Sangiovese (Rd): Minimum 85% Sangiovese + OARG
- Novello (Sangiovese)
- Riserva (Focara Rosso, Cabernet Sauvignon, Sangiovese, Focara Pinot Nero, Roncaglia Pinot Nero)
SPARKLING WINES
- Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 75% Biancame, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine), Sauvignon Blanc, Trebbiano, Verdicchio, and/or Welschriesling + OANWG
- Pinot Nero Spumante from subzone Focara or Roncaglia only (WhSp): Minimum 85% Pinot Nero + OANWG
Subzones:
- Focara (Rosso and Pinot Nero—red, white, and spumante—only)
- Parco Naturale Monte San Bartolo (Cabernet Sauvignon and Sangiovese only)
- Roncaglia (Bianco and Pinot Nero—red, white, and spumante—only)
Significant Production Rules:
- Minimum alcohol level: 11.0% for Bianco, Rosato, Rosso, and Spumante; 11.5% for white varietals except Focara or Roncaglia Pinot Nero, non-subzone Sangiovese, and Novello; 12.0% for Roncaglia Bianco, Focara or Roncaglia Pinot Nero vinified as a white wine, Focara Rosso, red varietals except non-subzone Sangiovese, Focara or Roncaglia Pinot Nero Spumante, and non-subzone Sangiovese Riserva; 12.5% for all riservas except non-subzone Sangiovese Riserva
- Residual sugar: Spumante can range from extra brut to demisec
- Aging: For Roncaglia Bianco and Focara or Roncaglia Pinot Nero vinified as a white wine, minimum 18 months (ERD = May 1, V+2); for red riservas, minimum 2 years (ERD = November 1, V+2)
