Verdicchio grape is one of the indigenous grapes of Italy, mostly from the Marche region. Recently introduced Classico version from Moncaro in an attractive Amfora shape bottle, imported by Riona Wines is a winner, cutting across the classes and masses.
 My visit to Marche over a year ago convinced me that this white wine made from the indigenous Verdicchio grape would win the hearts and palates of most wine drinkers in India. I tasted wines from over 50 producers and at different levels of quality. They were all delicious and very drinkable.
I have been recommending the import of this wine also because it does not cost the earth. I am glad Riona Wines in Maharashtra decided to import several wines from Marche-13 labels to be exact. Four out of these are Verdicchio. I have tasted two and prefer this Classico version that comes in a different, beautiful Amfora shaped bottle, which more than one producer told me was invented by their winery over a century ago.
Without going into their claims, I can say that you would find any Verdicchio very quaffable. The difference would be only in freshness and complexity whether in the nose or the flavour and of course, the after-taste.
This wine is simply delicious and scores rather well in all the departments especially in its citrus fruitiness and balanced acidity making it vivacious. It is a DOC wine. Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi (pronounces Ye-zee) simply means it is from the castles (actually there are several hills and hilly areas) of a town called Jesi, near the capital city of Ancona. Classico indicates it is from a specially designated area-usually such wines are slightly more concentrated in flavours and perhaps a tad higher in alcohol level, by law or by design.
Interestingly, at a recent cheese and wine tasting I had organised at the Delhi Wine Club, we presented several wines. I casually slipped in a bottle of this wine for tasting. About 8-10 people tasted and all of them in unison said they loved it and wanted more.
The wine is available at Rs.1253 in Mumbai-which I feel is fairly reasonable price for this quality. What impresses me about the importers is how they have managed to make it available in 38 stores in such a short time. They are available in all the major shops like Shah, Peekay, Patel, Modern, Don Giovanni, Parry, Pinky, Jude and 4 Nature Bounty’s outlets.
In Delhi, it is being stocked by Evergood (Asaf Ali Road), Suri (Behind Savitri) and Harish Chauhan in Lajpat Nagar. Riona’s rep informs me that DTDC and DSIDC outlets like the one behind Savitri Cinema, Greater Kailash – II will sell it in a few days. Bad news is that it would be more expensive at Rs.1405. it may be cheaper when it starts selling in Gurgaon and other adjoining cities in Haryana.
Slightly expensive but good stuff!! Value-for money quality wine, this..
Subhash Arora
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