Menu
Menu
Tina and Brett
Looking for a captivating white wine under $30? Look no further than the 2020 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore “Capovolto,” championed by none other than Kermit Lynch, one of the world’s most respected wine importers. This Italian gem hails from Marche, a coastal region renowned for its Verdicchio grape. Before diving into this specific bottle, let’s explore what makes Verdicchio so special, and why you should try this captivating wine. Verdicchio is a distinct Italian white grape varietal that comes primarily from Italy’s Marche region along the country’s eastern coast.
This Italian grape is revered for its crisp acidity and vibrant character, with wines often called “fresh” and “versatile”. In the glass, Verdicchio wines are known for enticing notes of green apple, citrus zest, and a subtle hint of almond, creating a refreshing and uplifting sipping experience. Cultivated in the mineral-rich soils of Marche, Verdicchio thrives in the region’s Mediterranean climate, which imparts a unique terroir-driven quality to these expressive wines.
La Marca di San Michele, overseen by the talented sibling trio of Alessandro Bonci (the winemaker of the family), Beatrice Bonci, and Daniela Quaresima, sets a pioneering example in Cupramontana by championing organic vineyard practices and a hands-off winemaking approach.
The family owns six hectares of vines, five of which are dedicated to Marche’s Verdicchio grape, and one hectares is home to a small plot of Montepulciano. The brother and sister team tends to their six hectares of vines with utmost respect for the land, practicing biodynamic farming and hand-harvesting.
The Italian commune of Cupramontana, which is where La Marca di San Michele is located, has a long history of Verdicchio cultivation. If you can believe it, this region has produced Verdicchio grapes since 1471!
Alessandro, Beatrice, and Daniela are acutely aware of this incredible history and are committed to minimal intervention in the winery, which means no commercial yeasts are used, and vinification takes place in steel tanks to show off the quality of the grapes.
Biodynamic winemakers, like Alessandro Bonci, go beyond organic practices, almost to a realm of mysticism, where vineyard life is concerned. This holistic approach to agriculture recognizes the vineyard as a self-sustaining ecosystem where soil, plants, animals, and cosmic influences are interconnected. By implementing practices like composting and crop rotation, biodynamic farming aims to enhance soil vitality naturally, leading to healthier plants and nutrient-dense crops.
In this vineyard, this means burying cow horns stuffed with compost (also called Biodynamic 500), eliminating synthetic chemicals, and aligning plantings with lunar and celestial rhythms to optimize crop growth.
Italy
Le Marche
Verdicchio
12.5
Alessandro Bonci
62–68°F / 16–20°C
Burgundy
N/A
Now to 2025
La Marca di San Michele
The 2020 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico Superiore “Capovolto” is a stunning Verdicchio with a pale lemon color and medium weight. Its nose is full of vibrant aromas like wet gravel, elderflower, and acacia, followed by a palate that balances creamy butterscotch with zesty lemon and lime. This dry white has refreshing acidity, a smooth mouthfeel, and a well-rounded finish, making it a delicious and balanced expression of Verdicchio.
The Kermit Lynch Wine Club has introduced us to so many gems through France and Italy, this wine club is one that just keeps on giving. If you’re looking for a white wine that is both crisp, but has a touch of weight to the mouthfeel, and is under $30 a bottle, the 2020 Verdicchio Dei Castelli Di Jesi Classico Superiore “Capovolto” is a great option.
What is Verdicchio wine similar to?
Genetically, Verdicchio wine is similar to Trebbiano di Soave, Trebbiano di Lugana and Trebbiano Valtenesi. When it comes to taste this Italian white wine has been called similar to Pecorino (the wine, not the cheese!).
Is Verdicchio a dry wine?
Yes, Verdicchio is a dry white wine with a light to medium body. These wines are typically crisp and acidic.
