A wine with sediment. But not a flawed wine – quite the opposite. In a world that often seeks crystal-clear perfection, this wine proudly embraces its cloudy and authentic nature. Primo Ancestrale by Casalfarneto is a return to the origins, a sip that tastes of land and rediscovered traditions. We are in Serra de’ Conti, in the heart of the province of Ancona, where the hills of the Marche gently slope towards the Adriatic Sea. Here Casalfarneto manages an estate of about 60 hectares, defining itself as a true “technological farm” that never forgets its past. This particular sparkling wine belongs to the category of frizzante wines produced using the ancestral method. It is the oldest technique for producing bubbles, long before modern sparkling wine technologies were invented. Unlike the classic method, there is no second fermentation guided by added sugars. The wine is bottled while the first fermentation is still in progress, allowing the yeasts to finish their work in the bottle and trap the natural carbon dioxide. The protagonist grape is pure Verdicchio, the undisputed king of the Marche. This variety, famous for its pronounced acidity, also has a structure that many describe as “a great red dressed in white”. The harvest is slightly anticipated. Picking the grapes a few days earlier preserves a sharp freshness and ideal acidity levels for a sparkling wine. Once bottled, the wine is neither filtered nor clarified. The exhausted yeasts remain at the bottom, forming the natural sediment that protects the wine and enriches its aromatic profile over time. Opalescent straw yellow in colour, the nose offers a lively citrus expression of good intensity: crisp green apple, grapefruit and intriguing notes of aromatic herbs such as thyme and marjoram. On the palate it is pure pleasure: savoury, very fresh and wonderfully crisp. The bubbles are fine and never intrusive, perfect for cleansing the palate with every sip. It is the ideal companion for an informal aperitif with friends. Excellent with classic fried specialties from the Marche such as olive all’ascolana and cremini. Also great with a gourmet pizza topped with zucchini flowers and anchovies.