Colli Maceratesi DOC dates from 1975 and covers a myriad of wine styles from vineyards in Macerata province plus the municipality of Loreto in Ancona province in Le Marche region of Italy. The zone occupies the central part of Le Marche between the Adriatic Sea and the Sibillini Mountains (Macerata is halfway from Ancona south to Ascoli Piceno). It is crossed by the Chienti and Potenza rivers and partly by the river Musone, which marks the border between Macerata province and Ancona province.

Terroir: Grapes must be grown away from the plain, in sufficiently sunny areas and away from areas with excess humidity. Hence the vines occupy hills not exceeding 450 metres (1,476 feet) (Burton Anderson: 1990, p.177). The area is well ventilated and luminous, both of which suit the Maceratino Bianco grape (also known as Ribona or Montecchiese) which lends (or takes?) its name from Macerata province.

Colli Maceratesi DOC Bianco: White made mainly from 70-100% Maceratino Bianco (‘Ribona’) plus an optional 0-30% Incrocio Bruni 54, Pecorino, Trebbiano Toscano, Verdicchio, Chardonnay, Sauvignon, Malvasia Bianca Lunga (Malvasia Toscana) and Grechetto (this must come from the province of Macerata), as well 0-15% other non-aromatic white grapes permitted in Le Marche. The wine may be still, sparkling (‘spumante’) or sweet (‘passito’). The passito must contain 15.5% alcohol minimum and must age two years of which 3 months must be in wood.

Colli Maceratesi DOC Ribona: The same rules as above but using Ribona–the local name for Maceratino Bianco–on the label.

Colli Maceratesi DOC Sangiovese: Red from 85-100% Sangiovese, 0-15% (non-aromatic) red grapes permitted in Le Marche. Can be made as a Novello or Riserva.

Colli Maceratesi DOC Rosso: Red from non-aromatic red grapes permitted in Le Marche. Can be made as a Novello or Riserva.

Production: 2018 7,356hl. 51 producers overall. 43 grape growers. 30 wine producers. 17 bottlers. 359,000 bottles. | 2017 5,435hl. 230,000 bottles. | 2016 7,504hl. 350,000 bottles. | 2010 7,803hl. | 2009 6,700hl. | 2008 8,423hl. | 2007 8,240hl. | 2006 6,833hl.

Bibliography

Production data: 2006-2010 Federdoc as reported by I Numeri del Vino. 

Production data: 2016-2018 Valoritalia.