MONTECROCE Cortese Piemonte DOC 2023

"Montecroce" Cortese Piemonte DOC 2023 / Vinchio Vaglio / Piedmont

White wine from Italy

The Vinchio Vaglio winery is nestled in the picturesque Piedmont region at the foot of the Alps and is renowned for its exceptional wines. Founded in 1959 through the collaboration of winemakers from the rival villages of Vinchio and Vaglio Serra, the cooperative now boasts 224 members who cultivate around 320 hectares of prime vineyards. These vineyards are situated on the steep hills of Alto Monferrato, where the vines are planted densely to make the most of the sunlight. Vinchio Vaglio wines are known for their freshness, elegance, and longevity. The winery places great emphasis on sustainable viticulture and integrated farming to protect the environment. Vinchio Vaglio wines reflect the unique terroir and winemaking artistry of the region.

The white grape variety Cortese thrives in the picturesque Piedmont region in northwestern Italy and is famous for producing the renowned Gavi white wine. It is believed that the Cortese grape has been cultivated since the Middle Ages, with the first written records dating back to the 17th century. Particularly in the Gavi region, the grape is prized for its adaptability to calcareous soils and the moderate climate with warm summers and cool nights. In 1998, the region was awarded the prestigious Gavi DOCG status, indicating the highest quality standards for Italian wines. Modern techniques, such as the use of stainless-steel tanks and temperature control during fermentation, have further enhanced the quality of Cortese wines. The vine thrives particularly well on calcareous soils, producing medium to large, golden-yellow to greenish grapes. Wines made from Cortese grapes have gained international acclaim and are appreciated for their unique aromas, freshness, and mineral notes.

Montecroce, known locally as "Mun d’la crus," is a place mentioned in Vinchio's land register as early as 1730. According to legend, a large cross was erected on the farthest hill facing the Bricco dei Saraceni. It is said that in 935, a great battle took place at this location between the Aleramici and the Saracens, won by the Aleramici, which was decisive in driving the Saracens out of these hills. This victory was celebrated with grand festivities, where, according to oral tradition, a fresh, light wine was consumed in large quantities without impairing the drinkers' clarity. Was it Cortese, locally known as "Corteis" or "Curteis"? This question remains unanswered. However, it is a fact that this native white grape variety has been cultivated in the hills of Alto Monferrato since time immemorial, producing light, pleasant wines that are easy to drink.

The grape harvest takes place in mid-September and is always done manually in the early morning hours to deliver the fresh grapes to the winery on the same day. During vinification, the grapes are gently pressed, separating the clear must from the more turbid. The clear must is then subjected to flotation and transferred to stainless steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation, which lasts about 20 days at controlled temperatures of 16 to 18 degrees Celsius. The wine is then refined with a gentle Bâtonnage on fine lees for about a month. Afterward, the wine is "cleaned" and aged in stainless steel tanks for around four months. Without undergoing malolactic fermentation, the wine is bottled at the beginning of spring and rests for about a month before being released to the market. These careful steps ensure that the wine can fully develop its freshness, elegance, and fine aromas.

The Montecroce Cortese presents itself in a bright straw yellow with brilliant greenish reflections that shine in the glass. Its bouquet is characterized by a floral note reminiscent of white flowers, accompanied by fruity hints of baked apple and pear. The finish reveals fine mineral nuances of flint. On the palate, this delightful wine impresses with its dryness, harmonious structure, and refined elegance. It is moderately sparkling and delights with a pleasantly bitter note, making it a particularly versatile enjoyment. Perfect as an aperitif to awaken the senses and usher in a delightful evening.

At an optimal serving temperature of 8 to 10 degrees Celsius, we recommend the Montecroce Cortese Piemonte DOC from the Vinchio Vaglio winery as a refreshing start to a menu, as this excellent white wine is ideal as an aperitif. Its light and fruity notes harmonize particularly well with softer cheeses like mozzarella or ricotta. The freshness of Cortese superbly complements the rich flavours of quiches and omelettes while also pairing ideally with light preparations of white meat such as chicken or turkey. Fish dishes, especially river and lake fish, benefit from the fruity and mineral notes of this wine. Lastly, vegetarian dishes, salads, or antipasti also pair excellently with this Cortese, as the freshness and elegance of the wine optimally highlight the flavours of these dishes. Thus, every meal becomes a special moment of enjoyment.

General properties

• Vintage: 2023
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Volume: 0.75 litres

Detailed properties

• Producer and bottler: Vinchio Vaglio - Regione San Pancrazio 1 - 14040 Vinchio (AT) - Italia - +39 0141 950903
• Quality Designation: Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC)
• Grape variety: 100% Cortese.
  
• Soil texture: Sandy soils with calcareous content.
  
• Average growing height: 250 m above sea level.
• Orientation of the vineyard: East-west.
• Training system: Guyot. 4500 vines per hectare.
• Harvest: Mid-September. The harvest is done manually and always in the morning so that the fresh grapes can be delivered to the winery during the day.
• Winemaking: The grapes are gently pressed to separate the clear must from the cloudy must. The clear must is then floated and transferred to stainless steel tanks for alcoholic fermentation, which lasts about 20 days at a controlled temperature of 16 to 18 °C.
  
• Maturation: This is done by light Bâtonnage on noble yeasts for about a month. The wine is then "purified" and left to rest in stainless steel tanks for about 4 months. Without malolactic fermentation, the wine is bottled in early spring and remains there for about a month before being sold.
  
• Sensory characteristics: Floral on the nose with notes of white flowers and fruity, reminiscent of baked apple and pear. Mineral notes of flint on the finish. Dry, harmonious, fine, elegant, moderately sparkling and pleasantly bitter on the palate.
  
• Colour: Straw yellow with brilliant greenish reflections.
  
• Alcohol content: 12.5 % Vol.
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• How to serve: Aperitifs, fresh cheeses, quiches and omelettes, white meat or river and sea fish.
  
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 8 and 10°C.
  
• Allergens: Contains sulfites.
• Warning: Consumption of alcoholic beverages during pregnancy, even in small quantities, can have serious consequences for the health of the child.
• EAN (bottle): 8030227020026
• Scope of supply: 1 bottle of wine 0.75 litres.

Grape variety

CORTESE

The white grape variety Cortese flourishes in the picturesque region of Piedmont in northwest Italy, gaining notable recognition through the production of the esteemed white wine, Gavi. While its precise origins remain shrouded in mystery, it is speculated that the Cortese grape has been cultivated in this region since the medieval period. The earliest written records of this grape date back to the 17th century. Over the centuries, the Cortese grape has firmly established itself in the winemaking tradition of Piedmont. Particularly in the Gavi region of southern Piedmont, it is valued for its adaptability to calcareous soils and the temperate climate characterized by warm summers and cool nights. In 1998, the Gavi region was bestowed with the coveted Gavi DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), signifying the highest quality standards for Italian wines. This underscores the outstanding significance of the Cortese grape in this region. In recent times, many vintners have introduced modern winemaking techniques to further elevate the quality of Cortese wines. This includes the use of stainless-steel tanks and meticulous temperature control during fermentation. The leaves of the Cortese vine are medium to large, often five-lobed, and possess a dark green hue. Their edges may exhibit a gentle wave. The grapes themselves are medium to large, showcasing a conical shape. The berries vary in size and display a golden-yellow to greenish tint, depending on their level of ripeness. The Cortese vine is distinguished by its adaptability to diverse soils and climates, thriving particularly well in calcareous soils. Yields may be moderate, contributing to the development of concentrated flavours in the grapes. The vine buds early in spring and typically reaches maturity in the second half of September. Over the years, wines made from Cortese grapes have garnered international acclaim. The unique flavours, freshness, and mineral notes have contributed to their esteemed reputation, extending their popularity beyond the borders of Italy.

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Bulk discount:

• 3 x MONTECROCE Cortese Piemonte DOC 2023
• 6 x MONTECROCE Cortese Piemonte DOC 2023