Italy is full of treasures, and we’ve scoured its backroads to bring you great wines from up and down the boot. So, to claim that Le Marche is the country’s best-kept secret is not something I take lightly. But this central region, tucked between Apennine peaks and Adriatic waters, has everything one could ask for: a long coastline dotted with gorgeous beaches and bustling villages, pristine scenery in its mountains and bucolic rolling hills, an irresistible cuisine with specialties from both land and sea, and, of course, delicious wines galore. Best of all, it remains under the radar, meaning fewer crowds for travelers and, crucially, great value to reward curious palates.
     With this sampler of wines from Le Marche, we hope to let you in on the secret. Three Verdicchios showcase the region’s star grape variety, whose mouthwatering verve and food-friendly nature shine in still and sparkling. The red wines feature Montepulciano and some Sangiovese, with terroir-driven expressions distinct from their respective counterparts in neighboring Abruzzo and Tuscany. Finally, the heady Lacrima perfectly highlights the charm of Le Marche in a singular and delightfully aromatic way.

Most of us gravitate toward Pinot Noir naturally, having had at least one, if not several, highly pleasurable or even life-changing bottles. What’s challenging, however, is remembering how Pinot tastes from each of the places it grows. With so much nuance across vintages and terroirs, how could you? We’ve put together a mini collection of Pinots from France and Italy to remind you of the stark differences and more subtle surprises possible from this beloved variety.

When colleagues and I visited Domaine Marsanne one Saturday in June 2023, we wondered if our appointment hadn’t slipped the family’s mind. There wasn’t a soul in sight to greet us, but after nosing around a bit we spotted Madame Marsanne, Jean-Claude’s mother, sitting discreetly under the shade of a giant linden tree. She was separating the blossoms from the branches to dry for herbal tea. She told us that her granddaughter Clémence, who works alongside Jean-Claude, was eagerly expecting us but with the heat what it was, and the vineyards growing so fast, she was still up in the hills racing to canopy the vines. She’d be down shortly to host us.
     My first impression of Domaine Marsanne—multiple generations putting in the time it takes to make a superior product, whether that’s fastening vineyard branches on a weekend or drying tea leaves—wasn’t wrong. It set the tone for everything I’d come to discover about Marsanne’s tendency for evocative and character-driven wines, and offered insight into the traditional vignerons behind them. Perhaps I’m biased about the 2023 vintage, having glimpsed the extra effort that went into making it great, but it’s one of my favorites yet.