Italian Grapes
Cortese
Cortese is an Italian wine grape predominantly grown in the eastern regions of Piemonte.
It is the primary grape of the DOCG wine Cortese di Gavi, and in the DOC wines Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato and Colli Tortonesi.
Cortese Flavors
Citrus and Peach flavors are commonly found in Gavi, with hints of Flowers, Herbs, and bitter Almonds.
 Lime |
 Mandarin |
 Apple |
 Peach |
 Flowers |
 Herbs |
 Seashell |
 Almonds |
About Gavi
Documents from the year 972, in the State Archive of Genova mention vineyards in Gavi.
In 1782, the Marquis Andrea Doria wrote about Gavi, and his intentions to ship the wine to America, and Gavi was the first Italian white wine to gain international repute.
The name derives from the production zone, commune di Gavi, and Cortese, the grape variety from which it is made.
The current style of production dates to 1876.
Cortese DOC(G)
DOC status in 1974 and DOCG in 1998:
Grape variety: 100% Cortese
Minimum Alcohol: 10.5%
Minimum Acidity: 5
Maximum Yield: 9,5 tons/ha
The DOCG allows for spumante and metodo classico styles, but most Gavi is produced as a still (fermo) white wine.
The DOCG restricts the production to 11 towns in the Province of Alessandria in Piemonte:
Bosio, Capriata d'Orba, Carrosio, Francavilla Bisio, Gavi, Novi Ligure, Parodi Ligure, Pasturana, San Cristoforo, Serravalle Scrivia, Tassarolo.
Region Piemonte
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
|
|
Soil |
Climate |
Lime-Rich. |
Cool/Mild Continental. |
DOCG Regions in Piemonte
- Alta Langa (Metodo Classico)
- Asti Spumate (100% Moscato)
- Barbaresco (100 %Nebbiolo)
- Barbera d'Asti (Min. 90% Barbera)
- Barbera del Monferrato Superiore
- Barolo (100% Nebbiolo)
- Brachetto d'Acqui (100% Brachetto)
- Gavi (100% Cortese)
- Dogliani Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Ovada Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Diano d'Alba (100% Dolcetto)
- Erbaluce di Caluso
- Gattinara (Min 90% Nebbiolo)
- Ghemme (Min 85% Nebbiolo)
- Moscato d’Asti (100% Moscato)
- Nizza (100% Barbera)
- Roero (100% Arneis)
- Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato (90% Ruchè)
- Terre Alfieri (Arneis and Nebbiolo)