5 questions for Andrea Ceci

Andrea Ceci has been passionate about grapes since childhood. Now he is at the helm of family-run Vignamato in Italy's Castelli di Jesi DOC, along with his brother and sister. Determined to make the very best Verdicchio's. 

1. Is working with your family difficult?

'Working in a family business is fun, but incredibly difficult. There is a risk that even Christmas lunch becomes a business meeting, or that an argument for a business reason destroys private relations. That is why we have imposed some rules on ourselves, such as: it is forbidden to talk about work during family lunches!'

2. What is the secret of white wine Verdicchio?

'The great strength, I think, is the de versatilità, its versatility. It is an easy-drinking wine, especially young, with sparkling acidity. Our Classico is an example of that extreme freshness. But if you let the wine age, especially on the yeasts, the crisp acidity becomes like cream. Then you get a more 'creamy' flavour, soft and mineral at the same time. And where at first you mainly taste lime and green apple, later you add almonds, yellow flowers, yellow fruit like apricot and golden apple, and something balsamic like beeswax.'

3. The grape is planted on 23 of your 27 hectares of vineyard. You almost have to drink it yourself?

'It is, of course, my own favourite wine. After all, Verdicchio has been my country's grape since 1400. Moreover, if it is true that the characteristics of a great wine are recognisability, longevity and the ability to improve over time, Verdicchio is an example of that. Besides Verdicchio, I also love white Burgundy.'

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