Cortese is one of the top whites of Northern Italy in our book.
Ran by Massimiliana Spinola and Henry Finzi-Constantine, L’Azienda Vitivinicola Castello di Tassarolo is situated in the commune of Tassarolo in the heart of Gavi in Piedmont and consists of 20 hectares of vineyards that surrounds the winery. The Spinola family, who has inhabited the castle in Tassarolo in some form or another since 250 AD, has been making wine from these vines since the year 1367! In 2006 Henry and Massimiliana began developing biodynamic methods of viticulture that guarantees the maximum respect for nature and the environment.
Stunning label depicts an Andy Warhol illustration of Orsola, a relative of the winemakers.
Sourced from vineyards at 300m elevation with marl/silty clay soil.
Beautiful straw yellow color, fuller bodied and weighty white, orange blossom, bees wax, chamomile, dried honey, noticeable minerality, very dry finish. Always a huge hit with any crowd. Vegan friendly.
region: Piedmont, Italy
varietal: Cortese
style: crisp white
farming/cellar: Certified Organic & Biodynamic, Hand harvested in small crates, ambient yeast fermentation, direct press, fermented in temp controlled steel tanks, lightly fined (vegan friendly) and filtered, minimal added sulfur.
pairing: Agnolotti with braised meat, sage and brown butter, shrimp scampi
