white grape · regional staple
Cortese
southeastern Piedmont, Italy
Say it
kor·tay·zeh
Three syllables; stress on second; final -e is a distinct syllable, not silent as in English.
On the palate
lemonlimegrapefruitgreen applewhite peachalmond
How you spot it blind: Crisp citrus and bitter almond finish with a flinty mineral edge
The story
First written down · 1659, Montaldeo, Piedmont
First named in a 1659 estate-manager's report to the Marchesa Doria noting that vineyards at Montaldeo were planted entirely with Cortese and Vermentino.
Where it lives
Gavi DOCG, Piedmont, Italy · Colli Tortonesi DOC, Piedmont, Italy · Oltrepò Pavese DOC, Lombardy, Italy
Shows up as
still whitesparklingGavi DOCG