Bianchello del Metauro DOC

Bianchello del Metauro DOC sits in the province of Pesaro and Urbino in northeastern Marche, following the Metauro river valley from the Adriatic Sea inland to the Cesane Mountains. The DOC encompasses 18 municipalities and covers approximately 120 hectares. Vineyards are planted between 80 and 350 meters above sea level, with the hillier northern side of the valley considered the source of the finest examples. Coastal vineyards tend toward a more spirited style, while inland sites produce more delicate wines.

• Northeastern Marche, province of Pesaro and Urbino
• Elevation range: 80 to 350 meters above sea level
• Northern hillside vineyards are regarded as the top sites
• Coastal zones produce bolder wines; inland zones produce more delicate expressions

The Metauro valley benefits from a dual climatic influence. The Adriatic Sea moderates temperatures, while the Bora and Tramontana winds from the north provide cooling effects alongside the warm Sirocco (locally called Garbino) from the south. Summers are warm and dry, winters mild with occasional snowfall, and the diurnal temperature variation is pronounced, preserving acidity in the grapes. Annual rainfall sits between 700 and 800mm. Soils are predominantly sandy clay in lower areas, transitioning to porous tufa limestone in the hillier inland zones.

• Adriatic influence with cool northern winds (Bora, Tramontana) and warm southern Sirocco/Garbino
• Warm, dry summers with significant day-to-night temperature variation
• Sandy clay soils near the coast; tufa (porous limestone) soils on inland hills
• 700 to 800mm annual rainfall

The DOC is built on the Biancame grape, also known as Bianchello locally. By regulation, wines must contain a minimum of 95% Biancame, with up to 5% Malvasia permitted as a blending component. The grape produces pale straw-yellow wines with delicate aromatics of white flowers, citrus, and minerality, underpinned by high acidity and low alcohol. Four styles are permitted under the DOC: Bianco (dry white), Spumante (sparkling), Superiore, and Passito (sweet). Annual production reaches approximately 6,000 hectoliters, equivalent to around 400,000 bottles.

• Minimum 95% Biancame (Bianchello); maximum 5% Malvasia
• Four styles: Bianco, Spumante, Superiore, Passito
• Typical profile: white flowers, citrus, minerality, high acidity, low alcohol
• Production: approximately 400,000 bottles per year

Wine production in the Metauro valley stretches back to at least 500 BC. The region's most celebrated historical episode comes from 207 BC, when Roman forces defeated a Carthaginian army led by Hasdrubal near the Metauro River. According to legend, the Roman troops had consumed Bianchello wine before the battle, a detail that has cemented the wine's place in local identity for centuries. The DOC was formally established in 1969. In 2017, nine family-run producers formed the Bianchello d'Autore association to collectively promote the appellation and its wines.

• Wine production documented in the area from at least 500 BC
• Legendary connection to the Roman victory over Hasdrubal at the Battle of the Metaurus in 207 BC
• DOC established 1969
• Bianchello d'Autore association formed in 2017 with nine member wineries