Cortese

White grape variety

Symbolbild: shutterstock



What is Cortese?

Cortese is a white grape variety from north-west Italy, which reaches its highest, most famous expression in the Piedmont denomination of Gavi.
 

What does Cortese taste like?  

Cortese is a crisp, dry white wine whose hallmark lemony, bright freshness is a popular match with seafood from the nearby Ligurian coast. If yields are too high, it can taste rather neutral. Some examples are oaked, although this approach can easily overpower Cortese’s essentially delicate flavour. The grape’s high acidity also lends itself to some good quality sparkling wines. 

Where is Cortese from?  

Cortese has been recorded in Piedmont since the early 17th century, with particular prominence in the south-eastern province of Alessandria, which remains its stronghold. 
 


Where does Cortese grow?  

Cortese remains closely connected to its Piedmont roots, with plantings centred on the south-eastern province of Alessandria, which includes the grape’s most famous incarnation of Gavi. Cortese is also found in the northern Italian regions of Lombardy, notably Oltrepò Pavese, and the Veneto. The grape is very rarely found outside Italy, but small plantings exist in Australia and California. 

Famous Cortese regions:  

Gavi, Piedmont, Italy   

Anything else?  

Cortese is so intimately linked with Gavi that the denomination is often referred to as Cortese di Gavi.  

Our selection of great Cortese 

  •  Castellari Bergaglio, Gavi, Pledmont 
  • La Mesma, Gavi, Piedmont 

Country of origin: Italy
Color: white
Taste: sweet
Maturity: 8 to 10 years
Price: 8 to 15 €
Serving: Fish, Venison

This grape variety is also known by the name of:

Bianca Fernanda, Cortese Dell'Astigliano, Courteis, Courteisa, Courtesia, Cortese D'Asti, Cortese Bianca, Cortese Bianco, Corteis, Fernanda Bianca, Raverusto

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2022 Bricco Bartolomeo Cortese Colli Tortonesi DOC
La Colombera
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
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90
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Piedmont,  Italy
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89
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89
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Piedmont,  Italy
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89
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Binè
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
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88
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Cantina Produttori del Gavi
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
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88
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88
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Villa Sparina
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
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Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
White Wine
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90
2021 Rovereto Gavi del Comune di Gavi DOCG
Michele Chiarlo
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
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90
2021 11 Gavi DOCG
Binè
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
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Cortese
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89
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Villa Sparina
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
White Wine
Cortese
Monterotondo Gavi di Gavi DOCG White Wine
93
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Parisio
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
White Wine
Cortese
Costa Donnio Gavi DOCG White Wine
89
2020 Gavi dei Gavi DOCG
La Scolca
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
White Wine
Cortese
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89
2020 Gavi di Gavi DOCG
Villa Sparina
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
White Wine
Cortese
Gavi di Gavi DOCG White Wine
89
2020 Gavi DOCG
Ottosoldi
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Piedmont,  Italy
White Wine
Cortese
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89
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Fontanafredda
Italy
Piedmont,  Italy
White Wine
Cortese
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