Rosso Conero is one of the 12 DOC zones in the southern part of the Marche region, in central Italy. Like many Italian winemaking areas, its history can be traced back centuries. According to the medical doctor and naturalist Andrea Bacci (1524–1600), this wine is linked to Hannibal (247–183 BC) of Carthage. The story goes that while Hannibal was marching on Rome, he provided his weary army and even his horses with large amounts of Conero wine.
Awarded its DOC classification in 1967, this production zone covers a small area on the slopes of Mount Conero, south-west of Ancona between the Adriatic Sea and the Apennines. Its vineyards sit on mineral-rich chalky and clay soils which, combined with a continental climate, provides an ideal terroir for the cultivation of vines.
According to regulations, the wine must be made from at least 85% Montepulciano with the possible addition of up to 15% Sangiovese. It is a powerful and full-bodied red, characterized by its concentrated color, intense aromas and flavors of black cherries intertwined with Mediterranean herbs and firm tannins. To achieve its full potential and for the tannins to mellow, it generally requires a little ageing.
