Marche is exciting to get to know as regards wine and gastronomy. Every taste is catered for: fish and seafood, meat and game and lots of delicious sausages and hams.
Truffles frequently form part of the cuisine in Marche, particularly in the autumn when they accompany game dishes and other delicacies.
During the last few years the wine has improved steadily and Marche is now a force to be reckoned with, both in Italy and internationally.
Fish and seafood
In Marche delicious fish soups with all kinds of fish and seafood are often available.
Meat, game and poultry
In the central mountain areas and in the hilly terrain, game dishes such as hare, wild boar and pigeon are often on the menu.
But pork and lamb is very popular as in the rest of Italy.
Sausages and ham
The delicious sausage “Ciauscolo" is made from pork in the area around Ascoli Piceno. Another very famous sausage, which can almost be described as brawn, is “Coppa di Testa". It is made from ears, tongue and other pieces of meat.
"Fegatino" is a popular sausage made of pigs' liver. “Lonza" is available everywhere in Marche; it is made from pork and air-dried. “Salame di Fabriano" is also much appreciated and goes very well with a glass of Rosso Piceno.
Two fine air-dried hams are produced in Marche. “Prosciutto di Carpegna" is produced in the northern and central parts of the region, and “Spalletta", which really is belly of pork, is produced more or less everywhere in Marche.
Cheese
Marche is best known for producing the delicious "Pecorino dei Monti Sibillini" which is available both fresh and matured. At times the cheese has a mushroom and truffle aroma – a real delicacy.
Sweets
A special sweet from Marche is "Lonzion di fico" consisting of figs, almonds and hazelnuts. It is often served with grape juice but can also accompany a medium-matured cheese.
Wine and vineyards
For a long time Marche has been known for its white wine Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi although its quality is found to vary.
Marche produces two red wines: Rosso Piceno and Rosso Conero, which at times are excellent.
Below is a list of good vineyards in Marche:
Maurizio Marchetti, Moroder, Azienda Santa Barbara, Colonnara, Terre Cortesi Moncaro, Le Terrazze and Umani Ronchi.
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