The History of Timorasso

There is an ancient and rather undiscovered land at the far end of the Piedmont region. We are talking about the Colli Tortonesi, or Tortonese Hills, which lie between the Oltrepò and Monferrato areas and have always remained on the fringes of the great Italian wine scene. This is the birthplace of Timorasso, an indigenous white grape vine from the province of Alessandria, which has always been cultivated by local farmers.

Its ancient history is not particularly glorious; in fact, because of the great red wines of the area, it has always been underestimated and seen as a wine with a less noble character, mostly sold as loose wine. Its modern history, on the other hand, is more exciting and began between the 1980s and 1990s thanks to the initiative of Vigneti Massa Timorasso. Thanks to the work of its founder Walter, who lends his surname to the winery, and through a movement of recovery and experimentation, it revitalised and gave visibility to the Tortona area and rediscovered this great white wine, unique for its longevity and freshness.

The first vintage was released in 1987 and its potential was immediately apparent. The Derthona label was created, in honour of the ancient name of the city of Tortona, which was soon registered and purchased at the Alessandria Chamber of Commerce. Later on, free use of this term was granted to all the wineries that produce white wines made only from typical grapes with those particular characteristics, harvested and vinified in the classic area of the vine. After all, as its creator says, "if Chardonnay in Chablis is branded as Chablis, if Aglianico in Taurasi is called Taurasi, if Nebbiolo in Gattinara is identified as Gattinara, why can't Timorasso in Tortona be branded as Derthona?".

This is how Walter became the "Father" of this Timorasso wine, a pioneer in its rediscovery and the one who restored identity and dignity to this territory. In a short time it began to conquer the national and international market, holding its own against the great Italian whites. Following in the footsteps of the founder, other producers in the area began to rediscover it, establishing it as the great white wine for ageing that was missing from the Piedmontese wine scene.

Best Pairings

Timorasso goes well with fresh hors d'oeuvres, aromatic first courses such as Piedmontese Tajarin with black truffles or Derthona ravioli, white meat dishes, fish cooked in various ways, savoury pies and vegetable omelettes. When aged, it is a perfect accompaniment to savoury mature cheeses, such as Piedmontese Montebore, but it can also be an excellent meditation companion. In short, it is a wine for the whole meal, capable of enhancing Piedmontese cuisine and beyond.

The overwhelming freshness, the marked minerality, the balanced sapidity and that pleasant and soft body make it suitable for a long evolution, to the point that some critics suggest that it may well surprise and give its best after 10 years in the bottle. While fresh citrus and floral aromas emerge when the wine is young, over time the aromatic notes, ripe fruit, minerality and hydrocarbons become more pronounced.

Whether young or mature, you will find Timorasso wine at a particularly attractive price on Callmewine, constantly ready to surprise you and offer you great sensations.