Ageworthy, complex and rare, Timorasso is one of Italy’s great white grapes. Grown almost uniquely in the vicinity of Tortona, in Piedmont’s south east corner, this grape was revered by nobles from the fourteenth century onwards.
However, phylloxera and the two wars destroyed the planted vineyard and, unfortunately for Timorasso, it is a difficult vine to grow. For example, it requires twice as many years to fruit after planting, compared to a Chardonnay vine.
As a result, the Timorasso vineyard dwindled until only one winemaker, Walter Massa, was left growing it. In the nineties the grape’s fortunes turned and Walter’s efforts paid off with the birth of a cult global following. More producers joined the ranks and the Colli Tortonesi DOC, within which Timorasso bottlings usually sport Tortona’s Latin name, ‘Derthona’, has brought the grape prestige.
MTW customers stay at Vigneti Repetto – whose Timorasso was awarded Italy’s best white wine by the prestigious Five Star Wines judging panel – as their first night on ‘The Tortona Hills’ self-guided walk.
📸 James MacNay