Lacrima di Morro d'Alba

🇮🇹 Italy

DOC Rare find

DOC 1985 - Near-extinct aromatic grape saved from 1 hectare, "tear" from thin skin drops, Aleatico DNA cousin, 250ha cult wine revival

Region profile

History

Ancient grape nearly extinct by 1985 with only 1 hectare remaining. Thin skin caused grape to "weep" juice drops ("lacrima" = tear). Pre-20th century decline due to splitting susceptibility (attracted pests) and poor grafting to American rootstocks after phylloxera. DOC 1985 recognition saved variety from extinction. Since then plantings expanded from 1ha to 130-250ha (100x increase). DNA analysis confirmed relationship to Aleatico grape. Now cult wine status among collectors seeking unusual aromatic Italian reds. Must be drunk young (1-3 years) to capture intense aromatics before they fade.

Climate
Mediterranean maritime; hilly terrain 200-350m altitude; Adriatic Sea influence; Morro d'Alba village center; 6 municipalities Ancona province (Morro d'Alba, Belvedere Ostrense, Monte San Vito, Ostra, San Marcello, Senigallia); clay-limestone soils; moderate temperatures; maritime breezes
Signature wines
Lacrima di Morro d'Alba DOC Superiore (Marotti Campi Orgiolo - benchmark, Tre Bicchieri multiple years, 53ha estate; Vicari; Stefano Mancinelli; Luciano Landi); ruby-purple with violet rim; intensely aromatic (roses, violets, wild strawberry, forest berries, black pepper, fresh herbs); soft tannins; fresh acidity; 12-13% alcohol; drink young 1-3 years; pairs with charcuterie, mild cheeses, pizza, pasta with tomato sauce
What sets it apart
Near-extinction survival story - saved from 1 hectare (1985) now 250ha; "Lacrima" = "tear" from thin skin drops; DNA Aleatico cousin; intensely aromatic (roses, violets); cult wine among collectors; thin skin caused decline (splitting, poor rootstock grafting); must drink young 1-3 years; DOC 1985; Marotti Campi Orgiolo benchmark; rare example of ancient aromatic Italian red grape surviving

Facts

  • DOC 1985
  • near-extinction story: only 1 hectare (2.5 acres) planted before DOC recognition
  • now 130-250 hectares
  • "Lacrima" = "tear" from thin skin that allows tear-like drops to form
  • DNA confirms relationship to Aleatico grape
  • thin skin makes susceptible to splitting (attracted pests/disease, led to decline)
  • didn't graft well to American rootstocks post-phylloxera (another decline factor)
  • ~140,000 cases annually
  • leading producers: Marotti Campi (Lorenzo Campi - 53ha, Orgiolo Superiore benchmark), Vicari, Stefano Mancinelli, Luciano Landi, Podere Santa Lucia