We had a Verdicchio di Matelica in the March 2022 club and if you liked it as much as we did, you'll be surprised it took us so long to return. Verdicchio di Matelica remains just one-tenth the size of its coastal counterpart, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi, and it produces wines that are generally weightier, more acidic, and more mineral. Recent DNA analysis has also shown that Verdicchio is genetically identical to Trebbiano di Soave and Trebbiano di Lugana—a significant component and prime component, respectively, of two of Italy’s most respected white wines, Soave and Lugana. Garofoli is one of the Marche’s oldest producers, dating back to 1871, when Antonio Garofoli began making wine for pilgrims visiting Loreto. Now in its fifth generation, the family has been associated with Castelli di Jesi throughout that time, but Supèra is a recent foray into Matelica. The wine is crafted in partnership with a young grower in Esanatoglia, a high valley at 400 meters in the Apennines, where the cooler mountain climate brings freshness and layered complexity. The wine is fermented and aged in stainless steel to maintain freshness. Aromas of mixed citrus, green apple and melon, wet rocks, pineapple, wax and tarragon. The palate shows moderate weight, bright acidity, and a clean finish. Excellent with grilled fish, shellfish, risotto, poultry, and aged cheeses such as pecorino.