The region with the capital Ancona is located in the centre of Italy on the Adriatic coast. Starting from the north, it is bordered by the regions of Emilia-Romagna, Tuscany, Umbria, Lazio and Abruzzo. The ancestors of the three famous wine-growing families Catena Zapata (Argentina), Gallo and Mondavi (California), who emigrated to the American continent and founded wine-growing empires in their new homeland, come from Marche.
The Celts and later the Etruscans already cultivated vines here. The Romans conquered the area in the 3rd century BC. The Roman wine writer Pliny the Elder (23-79) mentioned the ancient wine Praetutium from Ancona. The Visigoth king Alaric (370-410) is said to have fortified his troops with the white wine Verdicchio when marching against Rome. The famous local doctor and naturalist Andrea Bacci (1524-1600) reported that the general Hannibal (247-183 BC) from Carthage revitalised the tired horses of his army with large quantities of Conero wine (forerunner of DOC Rosso Conero) during the march against Rome.
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Sigi Hiss
freier Autor und Weinberater (Fine, Vinum u.a.), Bad Krozingen