This wine is emblematic of the mission of Kompas Wine Club. The world’s foremost expert on Italian wines, Ian D'agata, wrote that “Verdicchio is arguably the greatest native white grape variety,” in his authoritative book on Italian wine grapes, yet few American wine enthusiasts would be familiar and confident enough with the grape to buy even moderately priced bottles–if they happened to encounter one at all. But those in-the-know will find opportunities to get them and wonder at their value. Verdicchio di Matelica is the much smaller of the two Verdicchio specialist denominazioni in the Marche region of Italy, and its wines are generally weightier, more acidic and more mineral than its rival, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi. Borgo Paglianetto was started in 2008 by the principals of two wineries in the Matelica region that decided to join forces. Organic from the start (and now certified), with great vineyards and a talented team, they soon became a major player. This is rock juice, with an elevated mineral note that is characteristic of Verdicchio di Matelica, along with meyer lemon, white cherry and apricot. Fantastic with sharp cheeses, fish and vegetable dishes.