The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Marche

DOCStill huntingEasy

Rosso Piceno (Piceno) DOC

The biggest red DOC in the Marche, a Montepulciano and Sangiovese blend made across most of the region. Basic Piceno is a mid-weight, fruity red with cherry, plum, black pepper and dusty tannin, cheap and easy. Rosso Piceno Superiore comes only from the hills around Ascoli Piceno, must be aged a year, and is markedly more serious: darker, with blackberry, tobacco, leather and firmer tannin. Velenosi, Saladini Pilastri and Le Caniette make Superiore that competes with far pricier wines.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Rosso Piceno (Piceno), import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

Can you help me get one?

Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Saladini Pilastri
Rosso Piceno
Organic, widely distributed and often under 15 dollars; cherry, plum and pepper, an honest weeknight red.
$11 to $15Wine-Searcher
Velenosi
Rosso Piceno Superiore Roggio del Filare
The flagship Superiore, aged in French oak, dense blackberry, cocoa and polished tannin, ages 10 years.
$30 to $40Wine-Searcher
Velenosi
Rosso Piceno Superiore Brecciarolo
The value Superiore, one of the best cheap Italian reds in wide US distribution; dark cherry, spice and moderate grip.
$13 to $18Wine-Searcher