Timorasso is one of our favourite Italian white grape varieties here at Regional Wines and most definitely one of the world's least well known ones. This is no surprise really because Timorasso nearly died out after the phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800s, which decimated up to two thirds of vineyards throughout Europe.

Luckily, Timorasso has been revived. Thanks to the Massa family who live in the town of Tortona in Piemonte, this zesty white grape has grown from less than three hectares to 110 hectares today. These are shared among many different producers in the tiny hillside appellation of Colli Tortonesi DOC in Piemonte. 

We have two Timorassos in store at Regional and they are both extremely different wines but both dry, medium to full bodied and rocking an altogether different vibe of freshness with character to burn.

The 2020 Vietti Derthona Timorasso is new in store and the grapes in this wine were grown on vineyards with south east and south west exposure, planted on clay limestone soils. 

It's a dry white with high acidity, a medium to full body and white floral notes with flavours of peach, nectarine and a nutty taste on the finish. It drinks well now and definitely has the potential to age. 

Winemakers Elena and Luca Currado Vietti fell in love with Timorasso when they first tasted it in the 1990s and have now joined the ranks of producers of this grape, which they describe as a thoroughbred varietal. 

Timorasso...

Timorasso can be traced back to the Middle Ages and is a vigorous grape in terms of growth. It was nearly extinct after the European phylloxera epidemic of the late 1800s and has slowly been revived so there is now a total of 110 hectares, of which Vietti has 7.1 hectares. 

Its production is centred around the town of Tortona, known in Roman times as Derthona, hence the name on the label.