Description
Colli Maceratesi is an obscure and recent DOC located in the lower part of the Marche region.
When talking about Marche, most people don’t wander past the usual Jesi, Matelica and Offida appellations.. What a mistake!
Podere Sabbioni is located nearby the Fiastra Abbey Nature Reserve – 1825 hectares of unspoilt nature which includes various archaeological and historical sites including the Abbey, The Prince’s Palace, The Anthropological Reserve.
At its center there is “La Selva”, a ancient woodland of around 100 hectares – the last example of a wide forest which, till 1700, was so spread to cover most of the hills.
Podere Sabbioni is the brainchild of Maria Grazia (accountant turned cellar manager) and Massimo (sommelier turned vigneron/winemaker).
Starting from a tiny plot until the current 4 hectares vineyards planted in the family farm, the objective was always the same: growing Ribona (aka Maceratino, Greco delle Marche, or Verdicchio Marino).
They created a cellar in the old water mill, still active with a two-fold function: making the winery sustainable off the grid, and keeping a constant humidity level in the cellar.
As well as being certified organic, the winery is also part of the V.I.V.A. Project, an environmental program that monitors the impact of human activity on nature.
This wine is made from a blend of local clones of Montepulciano (85%) and Sangiovese (15%) hand picked in small baskets.
Montepulciano is harvested early to retain acidity and green tannins, while Sangiovese is harvested late to increase body and alcohol.
The two varieties are de-stemmed and fermented in concrete vats, before transfer to small oak barrel for 13 months of aging.
Intense, warm and savoury, with the typical firm tannins
The result is an aromatic wine, with delicate tannins and lovely aromas of violet, black cherry, eucalyptus and maraschino.
Drink at room temperature within 15 years.
Whole meal wine: excellent with pasta and rice meals: enhances the flavours of simple dishes as well as red meat and medium mature cheese
