Introduction

At a time when wine drinkers are increasingly adventurous, exploring not just labels but terroir, organic farming and authentic regional expression, Verdicchio dei Castelli di Jesi stands out as one of Italy’s true gems. The Cantina Mezzanotte Risveglio 2024 is a shining example of this. Or ganic, fresh, expressive and grounded in tradition, this wine represents both the heritage of the Marche region and a modern desire for purity and balance.

In this article you’ll get everything: where it's from, what grape it is, how it’s made, how it looks and tastes, what to pair it with, how it performs overall, and why it might be one of the smarter white wine buys in the UK right now.

Region & Terroir: Marche, Castelli di Jesi

The Marche region lies on Italy’s eastern Adriatic coast, just north of Abruzzo and south of Emilia-Romagna. It is relatively lesser known outside Europe, but for those in the know, its rolling hills, mixed soils, and maritime influence yield whites and reds of great finesse.

The Castelli di Jesi area is among Marche’s most respected DOCs (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) for Verdicchio. Hilly terrain, good elevation (often around 100-200 metres), clay-rich soils (often mixed with limestone or more calcareous elements), and cooling influences from both altitude and sea breezes, all contribute to wines with crisp acidity, minerality, and a capacity for aromatic nuance.

Cantina Mezzanotte’s vineyards for “Risveglio” are located in the municipalities of Ostra Vetere and Serra de’ Conti, roughly 150 metres above sea level, with south- to south-west exposure. The soil is medium textured, tending towards clay. The vines are aged roughly 20–30 years, trained using the double-guyot system. Yields are moderate. These factors combine to produce a wine that reflects both freshness and character.

Grape Variety: Verdicchio

“Risveglio” is made from 100% Verdicchio, the signature white grape of Castelli di Jesi. Verdicchio is known for its high natural acidity, crisp freshness, and a subtle thread of bitterness (often almond-like) in its later stages. It is not usually heavily oaked, and the best examples emphasise clean fruit, minerality and sometimes floral or herbal notes.

Verdicchio is particularly well suited to the Marche hills: it thrives in clay or mixed soils, appreciates good exposure, and rewards vineyards that manage yield well so that the grape concentrates its flavour. When treated with care, Verdicchio can produce wines that are lively, elegant, and food-friendly, rather than simply light or “everyday” whites.

Organic Practices

One reason “Risveglio 2024” is special is that it comes from organic agriculture. The vineyard practices are managed without synthetic chemicals or unnecessary interventions, which often means lower yields, more attention to vine health, and a more “sense of place” coming through in the wine. Organic certification tends to resonate in markets like the UK, particularly among consumers looking for sustainability and authenticity.

Winemaking & Ageing Process

Here’s how Risveglio 2024 is made, step by step:

• Harvesting is done by hand in early September. This lets the winemakers pick only the ripest, healthiest grapes, avoiding damage and selecting for quality.
• Fermentation occurs in stainless steel tanks, with temperature control to preserve the fresh fruit character (apple, citrus, etc.). No oak barrels for this version.
• After fermentation, the wine matures in steel for about six months to allow the flavours to integrate and for the wine to settle, softening edges while preserving vitality.
• It then spends at least three months in the bottle before release, giving time for aromas to round out and for any sharpness to settle.

Such a process emphasises purity, freshness, and the expression of Verdicchio’s natural characteristics rather than overlaying heavy oak or artificial flavouring.

Appearance: What You See in the Glass

In the glass, Risveglio 2024 shows a pale straw yellow colour, with subtle greenish reflections. These green hues tell you this is a young, fresh wine. The clarity is bright, and there’s a modest but noticeable viscosity when swirled, suggesting good natural grape substance without heavy manipulation.

Aroma & Nose: What You Smell

Aroma is where this wine begins to show its personality:

• First impressions lean toward fresh green apple, crisp and clean, almost in the style of apples picked early, with vibrant acidity.
• There are also hints of lemon zest or citrus peel, giving brightness and lift.
• Floral notes — perhaps white blossom, or delicate herbs, maybe a touch of acacia or elderflower — woven in rather than dominating.
• A mineral undertone, likely coming from the clayey soils, with slight hints of salinity or wet stone.

The nose is quite pure and direct; it doesn’t try to be complex at first, but after a moment, you notice layers — fruit, flower, and minerality in harmony.

Palate & Texture: What You Taste

On the palate, Risveglio 2024 delivers what the nose promises, with some added interest:

• Fruit flavours are consistent with the aromatics — green apple, citrus, maybe a little pear, all in the crisp, fresh spectrum rather than tropical or super-juicy.
• Acidity is lively, which gives energy and structure to the wine. It’s not razor-sharp, but definitely bright enough to wake up the palate.
• The texture is medium-light: not slender, but not heavy. There’s a smoothness — partly from the lees ageing and time in bottle — that balances the acidity.
• There’s also a savoury or mineral dimension; a clean minerality that carries through, giving the wine length.
• The finish is clean, fairly persistent, with echoes of the fruit and mineral, possibly a slight almond- or bitter-almond note typical of Verdicchio’s more refined style.

Ageing Potential

While this is clearly made to be enjoyed young, Risveglio 2024 has modest ageing potential:

• Best drank between now and 3–5 years after vintage, depending upon storage conditions (cool, stable, avoiding light).
• Over time, primary fruit (apple, citrus) may soften, and secondary flavours — almond, maybe a bit more herb or subtle honeyed nuance — may emerge.
• However, the wine’s freshness and acidity are part of its charm, so letting it age too long risks losing that lively edge.

Food Pairing & Serving Notes

One of the strengths of Risveglio 2024 is how well it pairs with food, especially given its structure, freshness, and mineral qualities.

For food, it shines with seafood — think grilled white fish, prawns or shellfish flavoured simply with lemon and olive oil so the wine can complement, not overpower. It’s also excellent with white meats: chicken, turkey or veal, especially when cooked lightly or with fresh herbs.

Vegetarian dishes are a great match: light pastas (olive oil, garlic, herbs), risottos with spring vegetables, or courses with asparagus, zucchini, or artichokes. Also try it with mild or soft cheeses — fresh goat’s cheese, young pecorino, or ricotta — where the acidity of the wine balances creaminess.

Serving temperature is important. Chill the wine to about 8-10 °C. Too cold and you risk muting aroma; too warm and the acidity can feel sharp. A medium-sized white wine glass helps aromatic expression. Decanting isn't required — but giving the wine a few moments in the glass before drinking brings out more complexity.

Strengths, Weaknesses & Overall Impression

Strengths

• Authentic regional expression: Verdicchio in good form, showing what Castelli di Jesi can do.
• Organic credentials: Growing demand in the UK for sustainable wines makes this a compelling choice.
• Balance: Fresh fruit, acidity, minerality, floral notes — everything is well balanced rather than one flavour overwhelming another.
• Value: At its price point, delivering quality and interest above many generic whites.

Weaknesses

• For those who prefer heavily oak-influenced or creamy whites, this will feel quite understated.
• It’s a wine that thrives when fresh; if kept too long without ideal storage, the brightness can fade.
• Not a wine for big, hearty food; best with lighter dishes.

Overall Impression

Cantina Mezzanotte Risveglio 2024 is a wine that does what Verdicchio should do: deliver freshness, flavour, and a strong sense of place, with elegance. It doesn’t try to be loud or flashy; instead, it invites you in for multiple sips, and maybe even a second glass. For UK wine lovers looking for something organic, bright, food-friendly and different from mainstream whites, this is highly recommended.

Donzella Wine's rates this: 4.4 out of 5.