Cortese
Cortese is a white grape variety found almost exclusively in Italy, predominantly the Piedmont region. Most famous for being the grape behind Gavi wines, the grape is know for producing beautifully fresh wines with herbal and grassy aromas. Hugely versatile and food friendly, Cortese has huge amounts to offer and should certainly be on your radar.
Cortese Tasting Notes
Green Apple
Peach
Honeydew
Grass
Known for producing crisp and refreshing whites, you can expect to find notes of green apple, peach and honeydew as well as subtle herbal and grassy aromas. Notes of lime and almond are also not uncommon, as well as mineral flavours which can range from subtle hints of chalk or limestone to more pronounced notes of flint or wet stone, depending on the specific region and winemaking style.
Cortese Style
Bone Dry
Sweet
Cortese wines are known for their high acidity, which gives them a refreshing and zesty character. This acidity is balanced by the wine’s light body, which is a typical of this grape variety. The wines are typically dry, meaning that they have little to no residual sugar, making them a great choice for pairing with a wide range of foods. Despite their light body, Cortese wines can have a surprising amount of complexity with delicate layers of fruit and mineral flavours.
Wine Regions
Italy
Cortese is primarily grown in the Piedmont region of northwest Italy, where it is the main grape variety used to produce the famous Gavi wines. The Gavi DOCG is located in the southern part of Piedmont and is the most important growing area for Cortese. In addition to Piedmont, Cortese is also grown in other parts of Italy, including Lombardy. Outside of Italy, there is limited production of Cortese, although some winemakers in Australia and New Zealand have recently started to experiment with the grape and produce their own unique expressions of the wine.
Which food goes with Cortese
Cortese is a versatile grape and pairs well with a range of foods, particularly those that are light and fresh. The high acidity and refreshing character make Cortese wines a great match for seafood, such as scallops or white fish. They also pair well with salads, particularly those with a citrus dressing, as well as light pastas and risottos. The wine’s mineral notes make for a great match with mild cheeses like mozzarella or ricotta. Cortese can also be enjoyed as an aperitif, served alongside light bites like olives or bruschetta.
