MONTECROCE Cortese Piemonte DOC 2023 (6 bottles)

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

Container of 6 bottles

White wine from Italy

The Vinchio Vaglio winery lies in the heart of Piedmont’s Alto Monferrato, a historic winegrowing landscape at the foot of the Alps. Founded in 1959 by the growers of the villages of Vinchio and Vaglio Serra, the cooperative has since developed into a notable producer of high‑quality wines. Today, its 224 members cultivate around 320 hectares of vineyards that stretch across the region’s steep, sun‑warmed hills. Sustainable viticulture and integrated plant protection define the work of the winery, whose wines are admired for their freshness, elegance and clear expression of terroir. For many enthusiasts, Montecroce is available as a set of six 0.75‑litre bottles - an ideal quantity to explore the estate’s distinctive style in depth.

A central role is played by the Cortese grape, native to Piedmont for centuries and internationally recognised above all through the renowned Gavi. It thrives particularly well on calcareous, sandy soils and benefits from the region’s moderate climate, with warm days and cool nights. Modern cellar techniques, such as temperature‑controlled fermentation in stainless steel, support the natural freshness and minerality for which Cortese wines are appreciated worldwide.

The name Montecroce, “Mun d’la crus” in the local dialect, refers to a historic site first mentioned in 1730. According to tradition, a large cross once stood on a hill opposite the Bricco dei Saraceni, where in 935 a decisive battle between the Aleramici and the Saracens is said to have taken place. The victory was celebrated with feasts at which a fresh, light wine was served - possibly Cortese, long cultivated in the hills of Alto Monferrato and known for its gentle, easy‑drinking character.

Today’s Montecroce is made exclusively from Cortese grown on sandy, calcareous soils at around 250 metres above sea level. The vines are trained in the Guyot system and aligned east to west. Harvesting begins in mid‑September and is carried out entirely by hand, always in the morning, to ensure the grapes reach the cellar in optimal freshness.

After gentle pressing, the clear must is separated from the cloudy fraction and further clarified by flotation. It then moves to stainless‑steel tanks, where alcoholic fermentation at 16 to 18 °C lasts around 20 days. Maturation includes a light bâtonnage on the fine lees for about a month, followed by a four‑month resting period in stainless steel. Without malolactic fermentation, the wine is bottled at the beginning of spring and subsequently matures for about one month in the bottle.

On the nose, Montecroce is fruit‑driven and delicately aromatic, with notes of citrus, green apple, white peach and subtle tropical hints. Floral nuances and a touch of lemon balm complement the profile, accompanied by suggestions of baked apple and pear. On the palate, it is light, pure and wonderfully fresh, carried by lively acidity and subtle salty and mineral notes. The slender, dry body is supported by restrained fruit, while the finish is clean, refreshing and marked by fine flinty undertones. Visually, it shows a pale straw yellow with brilliant greenish reflections.

Culinarily, the wine makes an excellent aperitif and pairs beautifully with fresh cheeses, quiches, omelettes, white meats and delicate fish dishes. Its ideal serving temperature lies between 8 and 10 °C, at which its freshness and elegance are shown to best advantage.

General properties

• Vintage: 2023
• Ageing: Dry
• Country: Italy
• Region: Piedmont
• Volume: 4.5 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.
• Grape harvest: Harvesting begins in mid‑September and is carried out entirely by hand. It is generally conducted in the morning to ensure that the freshly picked grapes can be delivered to the winery in optimal condition over the course of the day.
• Winemaking: The grapes are gently pressed, separating the clear must from the cloudy fraction. This is followed by flotation of the clear must before it is transferred to stainless‑steel tanks. Alcoholic fermentation then takes place at controlled temperatures of 16 to 18 °C and lasts for approximately 20 days.
• Maturation: Maturation takes place through a light bâtonnage on the fine lees over a period of around one month. The wine is then clarified and left to rest for a further four months in stainless‑steel tanks. Without undergoing malolactic fermentation, it is bottled at the beginning of spring and remains in the bottle for about one month before being released to the market.
• Scent: The aroma is fruit‑driven and delicately aromatic, characterised by subtle citrus notes such as lemon and lime, alongside hints of green apple and white peach. Fine tropical nuances, including touches of pineapple or starfruit, add further complexity. These are complemented by gentle floral notes of white blossoms and a hint of herbal freshness reminiscent of lemon balm. Overall, the nose appears floral and fruity, with additional impressions recalling baked apple and pear.
• Taste: On the palate, the wine is light, clear and strikingly fresh, supported by the crisp, lively acidity that is characteristic of Cortese. Subtle salty and mineral notes lend a delicate savoury touch. The body remains slender, linear and dry, while the fruit expression is restrained, recalling citrus, green apple and a hint of melon. The finish is short to medium in length, clean and refreshing, accompanied by mineral nuances reminiscent of flint. Overall, the wine presents itself as dry, harmonious, fine and elegant, with a gently tingling texture and a pleasantly bitter accent.
• Colour: Straw yellow with brilliant greenish reflections.
• Alcohol content: 12.5 % Vol.
• Closure type: Natural cork.
• Serving recommendation: The wine is ideally suited as an aperitif and pairs equally well with light, fresh cheeses. Its clear, fresh structure also makes it an excellent match for quiches and omelettes. It complements white meats as well as freshwater and saltwater fish, as its fine acidity and subtle minerality enhance the delicate flavours of the dishes without overpowering them.
• Recommended serving temperature: Between 8 and 10°C.
• Allergens: Contains sulphites.
• EAN (carton): 803022722006
• Bottle type: Disposable (no deposit)
• Scope of supply: 6 disposable bottles a 0.75 litres = 4.5 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.