San Vito, Timorasso Doc Colli Tortonesi

This is an indigenous vine from the valleys of Borbera, Curone, Grue and Ossona, which over time unfortunately, has almost disappeared. A few years ago we made a wise and significant decision to encourage biodiversity, and this led us to replant this ancient strain of vine. Its white grapes are characteristcally sweet and of good acidity: the wine is yellow in colour shading into green, it has a a slightly spicy aroma and a full deep flavour. The strength of this wine makes it a good accompaniment for cheeses and strong tasting dishes.

The origins of this vine are uncertain. It is sometimes known as 'morasso', and certainly its spread dates from a period very long ago, when it was common around Novi Luguri and Tortona, and also in the high valleys of Curone, Grue and Ossona. It was the most common strain of vine grown on well exposed slopes with poor soil. It seems that one of its greatest admirers was Leonardo da Vinci. The Tuscan scientist and artist ordered an anicent cheese from our area, the Montebore. to be made for the marriage of Isabella of Aragon. He had it made as it is today, in the form of a wedding cake on three levels, and to accompany it a very fine white wine, the Timorasso, which could bring out the flavour of this cheese better than any other wine.

The white grapes of the Timorasso are easily recognised. Within a single bunch small and large grapes are found together, and attached to the central stem are tiny stems with no grapes at all (the technical term for these is failed flowers). In the past, these stalks without fruit made cultivators mistakenly prefer the fruit of the Cortese vine, or various other white grapes. They took the fruitless stalks as a sign of wastage, and in those days quantity was preferred over quality. In fact, these compact and elongated bunches have very good resistance to common diseases affecting vines.

Today, when quality wine production is in the process of returning to our traditional roots, and the perspective of farmers in the Tortonese region is shifting, the high quality of Timorasso wine is becoming recognised once again. The old disciplines of production of this wine predict alcohol content of at least 12 degrees proof, the production of 8,000 kilos of grapes per 10,000 square metres, in other words two bottles of wine are produced from each plant. The Timorasso may not be sold until 13 months after the harvest.

One of the Timorasso's most appreciated qualities is its capacity to mature for a long time in the bottle, even 5 or 6 years. It is unusual among white wines in this respect.