📍 Conero

Conero is a coastal zone around Monte Conero near the city of Ancona, in the Marche region on Italy's Adriatic coast. The mountain rises straight above the sea, and the vineyards sit on its slopes. It is one of the most scenic wine areas in the country.

The main grape is the red Montepulciano. It makes Rosso Conero (DOC) and the more serious Conero Riserva (DOCG); the rules require at least 85% Montepulciano in Rosso Conero, the rest most often Sangiovese. The wine is dark, full-bodied and aromatic, with notes of dark berries and spice.

Limestone and clay soils, sea breezes and warm summers help the grapes ripen well.

Do not confuse the Montepulciano grape with the Tuscan town of Montepulciano. Conero wine and Montepulciano d'Abruzzo are made from the same grape but in different regions: Marche lies north of Abruzzo. Rosso Conero is traditionally served with grilled meat, pasta with meat sauce and aged cheeses from Marche. The name Conero on a label shows that the grapes grew in this very area, which makes it easy to look for similar wines.