Lacrima di Morro d'Alba is a red grape of the Marche, grown around the village of Morro d'Alba in the province of Ancona. It makes aromatic, fruity reds with rose, violet, strawberry and cherry, and has its own DOC, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba.
Lacrima means "tear" in Italian. The name is often explained by the thin skins of the ripe berries, which can split and let drops of juice run out. The grape has nothing to do with Lacryma Christi del Vesuvio, a Campanian wine with a similar name. Lacrima is an old local variety, but by the second half of the 20th century very little was left. A small group of producers kept it alive, and since the DOC was created in the 1980s plantings have grown again.
Lacrima grows almost only in a small area northwest of Ancona, around Morro d'Alba and nearby villages such as Senigallia, Monte San Vito, Belvedere Ostrense and San Marcello. The hills are low and close to the Adriatic coast, with clay and sandy soils and a mild climate.
It is a delicate grape to grow, and the area under vine is small.
Lacrima is one of the most aromatic red grapes of Italy. On the nose it can remind you of a white or rosé wine with its strong floral scent, but on the palate it is a dry red. Most bottles are best young, within two or three years. The Superiore is fuller and can age a little longer. The passito is sweet and rich.
Start with a dry Lacrima di Morro d'Alba DOC, served slightly cool. Producers worth knowing include Marotti Campi, Velenosi, Santa Barbara, Stefano Mancinelli, Umani Ronchi, Tenuta di Tavignano and Casalfarneto. Then try a Superiore to see a fuller, more structured style.
In the Marche Lacrima grows next to Montepulciano, Sangiovese and the white Verdicchio. Fans of perfumed reds may also like Malvasia Nera. Read our best Marche wines, the best light Italian red wines for summer, or browse the grape varieties index.