The hilltop medieval castle town of Marino is found in the commune of Castelli Romani, south-east of Rome in central Italy's Lazio region. It is also home to the white-wine DOC of the same name, which was granted its title in 1970 and is now noted for producing one of the best-known wines in the Castelli Romani district.
Like many Italian winemaking areas, Marino's wine heritage dates back centuries. In fact, in Roman times Marino was known as Albanum. Since 1925, there is also a tradition of an annual grape festival (Sagra dell'Uva) held in the town on the first Sunday in October. During this celebration, a stream of sweet white wine surges from the famed Fountain of Moors in the centre of the town.
Although the terroir is similar to that of neighboring Frascati, the soil conditions differ and the vineyards are in closer proximity to the sea. Furthermore, despite the wine bearing similar traits to those of its neighbor, the drinking experience is unique – there is greater concentration and intensity, as well as more body. It is also one of the few wines that can be matched with artichokes.
The grapes permitted under the DOC designation are Malvasia Rossa and Malvasia del Lazio (light-skinned members of the broad Malvasia family), Trebbiano Toscano and a small percentage of Bonvino (Cesanese) and Cacchione (Bellone).
