Variety: 100% Verdicchio
Region: Marche, Italy
Cost: $15 (SRP)
Winemaker’s Notes:Â The Macrina bottling is elegant and structured; an exceptional value to the consumer. While the Macrina may be consumed young and ideal for everyday consumption, it also has the potential to be incredibly fresh with some age on it.
My Review: Always fun to try a grape that’s new to me. I wasn’t familiar with Verdicchio before receiving this wine, but given that it checked a major box for white wine in my house (aged in concrete and stainless steel tanks instead of oak), I was interested to pop the bottle open and see what it showed.
In the glass the 2018 Macrina was a pale, almost clear yellow colour, with slashes of green showing through when the light hit it juuuuust right. On the nose I picked up aromas of white flowers, peaches, and pears. In the mouth, the wine had a hint of effervescence, with notes of citrus (lemon), and green apple, with just a touch of spice on the finish, mostly nutmeg and a bit of white pepper.
My wife and I paired the wine with stuffed red shrimp and pasta, and I have to say it was a great pairing. The citrus and touch of acid in the wine did a great job of cutting through the richness of the shrimp and the butter sauce that we used on it.
For $15 I think this is a great value wine, and one that I would reach for again. It’s versatile and will pair well with food or by itself. We’re (finally) getting into Fall as I write this, and so while I don’t know how many more crisp whites I’ll be reaching for since it’ll finally be time for big reds to go with hearty meals, this is one to keep in mind for holiday parties (which will be here before we know it) and next year when the weather turns back to warmth and something crisp and refreshing sounds not just nice, but necessary.
Editor’s Note: I received this wine as a free sample for review.
