!? MAI SENTITO ! – IGT Marche White Frizzante Sur Lie

Overview

The “!? MAI SENTITO !” is a sparkling white sur lie that expresses the authenticity of the Marche territory and the artisanal philosophy of La Staffa winery. Blended from 80% Verdicchio and 20% Trebbiano, this wine is made from vineyards of different ages: Verdicchio comes from young vines under 10 years old, while Trebbiano comes from historic vines over 40 years old. Spontaneous fermentation with pied de cuvée and bottle fermentation gives freshness, complexity, and delicate bubbles, creating an elegant and persistent wine.

Vineyard and Terroir

The vineyards are planted on clay-limestone soils, rich in calcium carbonate and with a characteristic saline component from Castellaretta/Salmagina. The varying altitudes and exposures allow the grapes to develop complex aromas and balanced acidity. The combination of young and old vines contributes structure, personality, and finesse, making this wine a true expression of the Marche terroir.

Vinification and Aging

After hand harvesting and gentle pressing, the must undergoes spontaneous fermentation with pied de cuvée. At the end of fermentation, the wine is bottled to finish the sparkling process in the bottle, lasting from a few weeks up to 40–50 days. The wine then ages in bottle for at least 6 months before release, developing aromatic complexity, creaminess, and elegant, persistent bubbles.

Tasting Notes

The wine has a pale yellow, slightly hazy color. The nose is intense, fruity, and persistent, with notes of yeast, baking, wild fennel, and fresh mint. On the palate, it is fresh, savory, and harmonious, with delicate and lively bubbles enhancing drinkability and structure. The aromatic persistence is long and pleasant, perfect for social occasions and elegant aperitifs.

Food Pairings and Aging Potential

Ideal as an aperitif or paired with seafood appetizers, light fried dishes, shellfish, vegetable dishes, and gourmet salads. Best enjoyed young to express its freshness and fragrance, or aged for several months to enhance aromatic complexity and the finesse of its bubbles.

Technical Sheet

• Denomination: IGT Marche White Frizzante Sur Lie

• Varieties: 80% Verdicchio, 20% Trebbiano

• Vineyard: 1.5 ha Verdicchio (<10 years), 0.5 ha Trebbiano (>40 years)

• Soil: Clay-limestone, rich in calcium carbonate and saline component

• Harvest: Manual

• Vinification: Spontaneous fermentation with pied de cuvée, bottle fermentation

• Aging: At least 6 months in bottle

• Alcohol: 11–11.5% vol

• Serving Temperature: 8–10 °C

La Staffa – Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi

The Winery’s Philosophy

The La Staffa winery, located in the heart of the Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi appellation, is an organic estate that has become a benchmark in Marche viticulture thanks to its artisanal, rigorous, and terroir-driven production. Founded and passionately managed by Riccardo Baldi, the estate covers twelve hectares of vineyards and represents one of the most authentic and distinctive expressions of Verdicchio. The winery’s mission is to craft wines that are not only excellent in quality but also capable of telling, through aromas and flavors, the story and tradition of the Marche hills.

The Territory of Staffolo

The town of Staffolo, known as the “Balcony of Vallesina,” offers a breathtaking landscape of rolling vineyard-covered hills surrounding the medieval village. Winemaking has been deeply rooted in this area for centuries. According to local legend, the name Staffolo derives from the Greek word Staphilé, meaning grape cluster, a symbol of the land’s inseparable bond with viticulture.

Today, Staffolo is home to just over two thousand inhabitants and about twenty wineries, earning it the nickname “the Hill of Verdicchio.” Within this context, the Baldi family cultivates its vineyards with daily dedication, focusing on Verdicchio as the flagship variety, alongside small plots of Montepulciano, always respecting nature and local biodiversity.

The Vineyards and Soil Characteristics

The La Staffa vineyards are located mainly in Contrada Castellaretta (7 hectares) with additional nearby plots (5 hectares), totaling twelve hectares under vine. The vineyards sit at an altitude of 400 to 500 meters above sea level, ensuring constant ventilation, varied exposures, and significant diurnal temperature swings—all crucial factors for balanced grape ripening and the development of intense, refined aromas.

The soil is predominantly clay-limestone, rich in calcium carbonate, a key element that imparts a distinctive mineral edge and remarkable sapidity to the wines. This unique soil composition, combined with the singular microclimate of Staffolo’s hills, gives La Staffa’s Verdicchio its unmistakable personality: elegant, expressive, and built for longevity.