Colleleva
Treasures from Le Marche
by Anthony Lynch
Le Marche may well be Italy’s most underrated region. Featuring striking landscapes from mountains down to the Adriatic Sea, countless quaint villages largely ignored by tourists, and an irresistible local cuisine, it is a hidden treasure oozing with charm and authenticity. Its wines star grape varieties indigenous to central Italy and come from a diverse range of top-notch terroirs, offering unique character that often comes at incredible value.
Nothing could be truer of the wines of Colleleva, a project founded by banker-turned-winemaker Stefano Antonucci. When Stefano took over his father’s cooperative winery in the late ’80s, he brought the ambition to make the produce of Le Marche known beyond the region’s borders, investing heavily in quality to reach a wide audience by crafting precise wines saturated with local identity, all while remaining reasonably priced. These new arrivals represent his vision realized: delicious bottlings from a little-known corner of Italy, fit for any and every occasion.
2024 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi
Italy | Le Marche
Le Marche’s chief white grape, Verdicchio, has always been Colleleva’s primary focus. A crisp, linear white with subtle aromas of flowers and herbs, this is an all-purpose bargain sipper made for aperitivo, salads, and seafood. The low alcohol and bright, saline finish make it a delightfully refreshing choice all summer and beyond.
2024 Rosso Piceno
Italy | Le Marche
Montepulciano and Sangiovese come together in this everyday rosso that is excellent with pizza, pastas, and grilled meat. The short aging—without any oak—allows its juicy fruit to shine, giving a nose that pops with black cherry, plums, and a bit of spice. Robust enough for heartier fare, it also takes well to a chill, in case you need to dunk it in an ice bucket to keep cool on a hot day.