Cortese

Cortese is a white grape variety native to the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy, where it has been cultivated for centuries. The grape thrives in the rolling hills and clay-limestone soils of the area, particularly around the province of Alessandria. While Cortese is grown in small quantities elsewhere in Italy, it remains most closely associated with its traditional homeland and has never achieved widespread cultivation outside the country.

Cortese wines are typically light-bodied and crisp, characterized by green apple, citrus, and sometimes herbaceous or almond notes. The wines generally show good acidity and a mineral quality that reflects their terroir. Most Cortese is made in a dry style without oak aging, allowing the fresh, delicate character of the fruit to remain prominent. The wines are usually best consumed young, though some examples from established producers can develop complexity with bottle age.

The grape's primary expression comes through the Gavi DOCG appellation in Piedmont, one of Italy's most important white wine designations. Within this zone, the even more specific Gavi di Gavi sub-region (also called Gavi dei Gavi) represents wines from a historically defined core area. Cortese wines pair naturally with seafood, light pasta dishes, and fresh cheeses, making them versatile companions to Italian cuisine and Mediterranean cooking more broadly.