Specialities of the Marches
The Marches region boasts a rich culinary tradition with a diverse range of dishes, influenced by its coastal location, hilly terrain, and proximity to other Italian regions. Seafood, truffles, olive oil, and cured meats are just some of the specialties that are a must-try for foodies visiting the Marches.
Eating and drinking in the Marches
The Marches are worth a trip for the food and excellent wines alone! The cuisine of the Marches offers a culinary variety of rural-traditional cuisine with the best, fresh ingredients. Above all, you should try the excellent truffle dishes! The Marche specialities are best enjoyed with the excellent wines of the region.
The culinary diversity of the Marches
The neighbouring regions strongly influence the cuisine of the Marches, which results in an extraordinary variety. The north is under the influence of the neighbouring region of Emilia-Romagna and Tuscany. On the other hand, the culinary customs of Abruzzo influence the cuisine in the province of Ascoli Piceno. In the far west, the region of Umbria makes people feel its presence.
Fish dishes are mainly served on the coast, except for some freshwater fish, such as trout, which can be found on some menus inland. In the rest of the region, meat dishes made from game, ham from Carpegna and sausages and salami from Visso, Fabriano and the Macerata area are particularly popular. Other popular dishes include mushrooms, especially truffles, and the many different types of cheese, which vary from place to place.
Truffles and wines of the Marche
One of the truffle centres of the region is the area around Sant’Agata Feltria in the north, on the border with Emilia-Romagna. Other truffle strongholds are in Acqualagna and Sant’Angelo in Vado. Highly respected truffle markets are held here and the oldest truffle testing centre, the “Centro Sperimentale di Tartuficoltura,” is located here. The peak season for truffles is from October to March.
The most expensive truffle is the “tartufo bianco,” which can be bought at a proud price per kilo of around 5,000 euros. The truffle harvest from December and in summer is less flavourful, but also a lot cheaper.
There are now 12 DOC wine-growing regions in the Marche. Besides the most famous wine-growing area Castelli di Jesi, a lot of wine is grown in the area around Ancona, Monte Conero, Pesaro, Matélica and Serrapetrona and between Fermo and Ascoli Piceno. Throughout the region, immense importance is attached to indigenous grape varieties. The best-known grape is Verdicchio, followed by Montepulciano, Rosso Conero and Rosso Piceno.
Less well-known wines of the region are the first-class white Bianchello del Metauro, Maceratino and, in the south, Passerina and Pecorino. Popular red wines are the Lacrima and the Vernaccia nera. For some time now, international wines such as Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot have also been successfully pressed in a few wine-growing areas.
Booking and information
Discover the culinary diversity of the beautiful Marche region in Italy on a round trip for groups! We will be happy to provide you with the detailed itinerary of our group tours on request. Feel free to contact us without obligation via our contact form or by phone at +49 611 945879-42. We look forward to your enquiry!
The Marches are coastal & historic
Landscapes of the Marches
Specialities of the Marches
Geographical locaton
The Highlights of the Monti Sibillini
Provinces & Capitals
The dwarf state of San Marino
Most interesting sights
