2023 Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi Classico, Andrea Felici

This crisp, moreish summertime white has subtle aromas of blossom, citrus and almond (a characteristic of Verdicchio). It’s a super alternative to Sauvignon, albeit a little less aromatic and more saline. The vineyards here are frequently snow covered in the winter, and the clay soils – replete with fossils – retain plenty of water throughout the warm, dry summer months. Leo’s Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi spends three months on the lees in steel tanks. There’s an element of skin contact too, for extra complexity and texture. The resulting wine is daisy-fresh and resoundingly saline, making it an ideal apéritif as well as a versatile food pairing – particularly at home with seafood or even hard-to-pair asparagus or artichoke dishes.