Timorasso

Derthona is the new DOC for the Timorasso grape from Piedmont. It used to be sold under the Colli Tortonesi DOC, sometimes with the grape name as well. Such confusion means that the rare grape is going to be even less known to people than it might otherwise have been. Once grown widely across Piedmont and Liguria, Timorasso's low yields and difficulty in propagation added to its woes when phylloxera attacked and almost went extinct, but it has been staging a quiet comeback in the last 15 years. A variety with opulent aromas, full body and great acidity, capable of expressing itself well with or without oak as well as being able to age, Richard Baudains feels that this grape should appeal to a wide audience.

The Decanter article provided tasting notes of another Derthona 2009 from Claudio Mariotto - Pitessa, giving it 4 stars and a mark of 18/20. As for the golden yellow wine that came out of the bottle above, it had a soft fruity nose with a crisp palate full of fruit notes and a minerally acidity that accompanied it throughout to the finish. A description on the Berry Brothers website remarked that Timorasso wines can be like a mix of Chablis and Savennieres - I can see where the Chablis bit fits in!