he fascinating name of the wine is derived from the variety of the same name, the Lacrima, a native of the district. It is of extremely ancient origin and is still cultivated only in the commune of Morro d'Alba in the province of Ancona and the territories of neighboring communities. The great diversity of varieties still to be found in the center and south of Italy makes it extremely difficult to trace the pedigree of this breed, which is descended from a family of "vitis vinifera" that is ancient. That descent is so complex that the exact origins of Lacrima may never be established.Why the variety and the wine obtained from it have the name Lacrima (tear) is not clear. The denomination may be derived from some legend or simply from the nearly oval shape of the grape or the pyramidal form of the cluster, both resembling tear drops. The wine is almost a varietal, for all "correction" is limited to the addition of 15 per cent of Montepulciano and/or Verdicchio grapes.
The use of the "governo Toscano" is recommended in making the wine. The method involves the inducement of a second fermentation of the wine, following racking, through the addition of a certain quantity of must pressed from selected and partly dried grapes. The addition must be made no later than December 31 of the year of the harvest. In keeping with ancient local tradition, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba is still produced in sweetish and sweet versions, a practice that is sanctioned by the DOC discipline.
Despite its extremely ancient origin, Lacrima di Morro d'Alba is one of the most recent addition to the list of DOC wines of the Marches, having received that recognition in July 1985. That step appears to have given the wine a new lease on life. For production, which has always been quite limited, had declined to the point that it was feared that the wine would entirely disappear.
