Variety
WhiteCortese
The grape of Gavi – taut, citrusy, mineral, with bitter almond on the finish. The white Genoa drinks with fish.
Portrait
Cortese is a white variety of southern Piemont grown mainly in the Gavi area around Novi Ligure and in the Monferrato. It is documented there since the 17th century, and Gavi DOCG is the best-known wine of the variety. Its origin is not clearly established.
The vine buds early, ripens mid-season to late and prefers clay-rich, calcareous soils. It is productive and requires yield reduction for aromas to develop. The wines are pale and dry, with high acidity, citrus, green apple, blossom and light minerality. Mature Gavi can develop almond and honey notes.
Cortese goes with fish, seafood, starters and Ligurian cooking with pesto.
Taste profile
Six axes — acidity, sweetness, body, tannin, aroma intensity and depth — on a 0–5 scale, based on typical style. Real wines vary by region and producer.
Typical aromas — Cortese
These 5 aromas typically define Cortese. Actual taste experience varies by region and style.
Lime
Green apple
Bitter almond
Chalk
White flowers
Cortese aroma families
These aroma categories are characteristic of Cortese. Other varieties have different focuses.
Fruit aromas are the most common and come directly from the grape, ranging from citrus through stone fruit to black berries.
Herbal aromas can be finely aromatic (sage) or grassy – a stylistic feature in some varieties, ripeness indicator in others.
Mineral notes are considered terroir-typical, emerging from soil, acidity and pH.
Key regions
Cortese is grown in the following regions of our atlas. Click to see wineries.
Wineries with Cortese
5 curated profiles in our atlas grow Cortese.
5 wineries
Albino Rocca
Barbaresco · Barbaresco
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto
Michele Chiarlo
Asti · Calamandrana
Nebbiolo, Barbera, Moscato
La Scolca
Gavi · Gavi
Cortese
Cantina Sociale Barbera dei Sei Castelli
Asti · Castelnuovo Calcea
Chardonnay, Barbera, Cortese
La Badia
Asti · Calosso
Chardonnay, Barbera, Moscato