Italy
Umani Ronchi
Osimo
Winemakers: Stefano Vigna & Beppe Caviola
The Bernetti family of Umani Ronchi hold over 200 hectares of prime vineyards, 110 in Verdicchio Classico, 60 in Rosso Conero and 30 in the prestigious 'Colline Teramane' in Abruzzo, the region's first DOCG appellation. Piedmontese oenologist Beppe Caviola heads a three-strong oenological team that is taking Umani Ronchi into the future, having received a healthy legacy from retired consultant Giacomo Tachis.
Vini Bianchi
The Verdicchio grape was established here
in the eighth century B.C. and, in the hills surrounding Jesi, enjoys long
hours of sunshine, cool nights and sea breezes from the Adriatic. The three
Umani Ronchi Verdicchios represent three different styles. 'Villa Bianchi',
named for the farm house on the property, is racy with a palate cleansing
bitterness. 'Casal di Serra', first made in 1983, is the flagship Verdicchio.
The light over-ripening of the grapes and lees contact give the wine its
particular roundness and softness and the palate is complex and rich in
texture.
'Plenio' is a selection of the best grapes from a high altitude vineyard near Cupramontana. After a soft pressing, two thirds of the must ferments in stainless steel, the remainder in new barriques. The wine is assembled in the following March and left on its lees in cement vats for eight months, with a further six months refinement in bottle. The name Plenio is taken from the latin word 'plenium' and suggests its main characteristics of roundness. Light gold in colour, the fruity-floral bouquet has hints of tropical fruit, roasted nuts and vanilla, the palate soft and generous.
Finally, Maximo is a botrytised Sauvignon with figs, ripe apple, candied citrus and dried flowers on the nose followed by an unctuously rich palate.
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Wines
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC 'Villa Bianchi'
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC 'Casal di Serra'
Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi DOC Riserva 'Plenio'
Maximo IGT375