Casal di Serra Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore 2019 (Marche) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is a lovely organic white wine from Marche, Italy, that arrived on shelves at the LCBO last weekend as part of the July 24th LCBO VINTAGES Release.

This white wine is crafted by Umani Ronchi, a family-run producer whose story began with Gino Umani Ronchi setting up a small farm in 1957 at Cupramontana, in the heart of Verdicchio Classico country in Marche. A few years later, the Bianchi-Bernetti family acquired the property and brought new energy to the estate's production. Over the next several years, Massimo Bernetti expanded the estate's area under vine to 210 hectares, which are nestled between the hills and sea along the Adriatic coast on the eastern side of central Italy in Marche and Abruzzo, while also improving the quality of the wines. By the 1990s, Massimo was joined by his son, Michele, and with input from university research centres, they began exploring advanced vineyard and cellar management techniques, while also identifying the best grape-growing sites. Today, all of the vineyards are farmed organically, by technical choice, because at Umani Ronchi, organic means quality. Umani Ronchi is driven by strong ethics and respects the environment, with sustainability at top of mind in every aspect of the business.

This Casal di Serra white wine was first produced in 1983 and was one of the first truly "selected" Verdicchio from the area. It was initially crafted from the best grapes in the Montecarotto vineyard, and was later enriched with grapes from three other plots situated in the most suitable areas for cultivating Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. The DOC Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi translates to "Verdicchio of the Castles of Jesi" and refers to the numerous hilltop villages that dominate the region in the province of Ancona.

For the 2019 vintage, this 100% Verdicchio was grown on a hillsides between 200 and 350 meters above sea level, on opposite sides of the Esino Valley. The vines are between eight and thirty years old and grown on soils that go back to Pleiocene-Pleistocene formations, and characterised by very deep, medium-calcareous clay loams. The grapes were hand-harvested, fermented in steel tanks, and rested on its own yeasts for 5 months prior to bottling. Let's see how this 2019 is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

CASAL DI SERRA VERDICCHIO DEI CASTELLI DI JESI CLASSICO SUPERIORE 2019 - DOC, Marche, Italy (#268169) (XD) - $19.95
Screw cap. This 100% organic Verdicchio has a lovely, fragrant, and open nose of lemon citrus, yellow and stone fruit with touches of yellow floral and earthy, saline mineral aromas. The palate is full with excellent fruit concentration and lovely lemon citrus, white stone fruit, herbal, and yellow fruit flavours with touches of leesy mineral and almond adding further interest and complexity. Acids are juicy and well-balanced, Very good length with leesy, saline minerals lingering on the finish. Highly recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other delicious wines from Umani Ronchi can be found at the LCBO, or through their Agent - Noble Estates Wines & Spirits.