The Cortese
Grape
The grape variety behind the crisp, refreshing white wine Gavi (or Cortese di Gavi) from Piedmont, Italy. Cortese produces wines with high acidity, offering flavors of green apple, citrus, and herbal notes, sometimes with a mineral edge, making it a perfect match for seafood and lighter dishes.
Cortese
Grape History
The Cortese grape is a white wine grape primarily grown in the Piedmont region of Italy, particularly in the provinces of Alessandria, Asti, and Cuneo. One of the oldest varieties in Italy, the origins of Cortese can be traced back to the early 1600s. The grape is also known by other names such as Bianco Oltrepò, Bianco Tortona, and Bianco Tortonesi in different regions.
Cortese is most famously known for being the primary grape used in the production of Gavi, a crisp, dry white wine highly sought after by wine enthusiasts. The Gavi DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) is one of the most prestigious wine appellations in Italy, and Cortese plays a crucial role in defining the unique characteristics of this wine.
The Cortese grape is valued for its high acidity, which lends freshness and vibrancy to the wines it produces. These wines are often described as elegant and aromatic, with notes of green apple, lemon, and white flowers. They are typically best enjoyed young to capture their lively flavors and crisp acidity.
In addition to Gavi, Cortese is also used in the production of other white wines in the Piedmont region, such as Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato and Cortese dell'Alto Piemonte. While Gavi remains the most well-known expression of Cortese, winemakers are increasingly experimenting with different styles and winemaking techniques to showcase the grape's versatility and unique characteristics.
The future of Cortese looks promising, as the grape continues to gain recognition for its quality and distinctiveness. As consumers seek out more unique and lesser-known grape varieties, Cortese stands out as a grape with a long history and a compelling story to tell. With a resurgence of interest in traditional winemaking practices and indigenous grape varieties, Cortese is poised to attract a new generation of wine drinkers looking for authentic and terroir-driven wines.
Overall, Cortese is a grape variety that showcases the rich winemaking tradition of the Piedmont region and offers a taste of the unique terroir that shapes the wines of this renowned wine-growing area. Its historic significance, distinctive characteristics, and potential for innovation make Cortese a grape to watch in the world of wine.
Introduction
Hello, my name is Franklin Laurel - Welcome!
I started drinking wine in 1992 when I was in my early twenties and recently married. Like many other young Southern Californians, it started out with White Zinfandel. As we were a couple of young DINKs just beginning life together, and on a budget, our go-to-wine was Sutter Home White Zinfandel, which tasted a lot like wine coolers and probably cost at the time $2.49. If we really were going to splurge, we would step it up and buy Beringer White Zinfandel for $2.99. Those were the days....
After a little time, we decided to get fancy. We stepped up our game and bought some wonderful 2-Buck Chuck from Trader Joe's. The Charles Shaw (Trader Joe's Exclusive Label) wine, also known as 2-Buck-Chuck extended our pallet into Reds for only $1.99 a bottle. Over the years we continued to grow in our understanding of wine (finally ran into some good wine) and we slowly kept buying better and better bottles.
Our first wine club purchase was from Kenwood's Vineyards, in Kenwood, California located in Sonoma Valley, right next to the famous Napa Valley. I began to learn about tobacco leather, and earthiness, and lots of other strange terminology when tasting their signature Zinfandels (of the red variety). So that is how it all began.
Fast forward a couple decades, and we have been members of five different wine clubs, and now have a passion for California's red wines. My favorite by far is Cabernet Sauvignon, while my wife fancies a good Syrah, Malbec, or Merlot - but she also loves the smell of a wine barrel room, which is all about the notes of Cabernet Sauvignon.
As I come across great wine resources and useful information that I find in planning my own wine trips, I will share here for anyone that might stumble across my humble website.
Cheers! - Franklin Laurel