Where to taste Cortese in Piedmont: the estates that grow it, how the region expresses the grape, and how to book a visit.

The cellar

Cortese from Piedmont

All Piedmont wines

1 bottle with at least 15% Cortese in the blend.

Cortese estates in Piedmont

Pio Cesare ★ 4.7

Barolo DOCG, Barbaresco DOCG and Langhe DOCNebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Cortese, Arneis, ChardonnayFounded 1881Pio Boffa family (Federica Rosy Boffa)Langhe DOC

Founded in 1881 and still cellaring within Alba's ancient Roman walls, Pio Cesare is one of Piedmont's historic houses, making both classic blended Barolo and the single-vineyard Ornato.

Tasting: Tours and tastings by appointment, Monday to Saturday morning, in the historic Alba cellars inside the Roman walls.

Signature wines: Pio Cesare Barolo Ornato, Barolo Pio Cesare, Barbaresco Il Bricco

Marchesi di Barolo ★ 4.5

Barolo DOCG and Langhe DOCNebbiolo, Barbera, Dolcetto, Moscato Bianco, CorteseFounded 1807Abbona familyBarolo DOCG

Rooted in the cellars where the modern Barolo style was shaped under the Falletti marquises, Marchesi di Barolo is the village's most historic house, now run by the Abbona family.

Tasting: Guided tours of the historic cellars and tastings daily, by reservation, opposite the castle of Barolo.

Signature wines: Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Cannubi, Marchesi di Barolo Barolo Sarmassa, Marchesi di Barolo Barolo del Comune di Barolo

Michele Chiarlo ★ 4.5

Barbera d'Asti DOCG, Nizza DOCG, Barolo DOCG and Gavi DOCGBarbera, Nebbiolo, Moscato Bianco, CorteseFounded 1956Chiarlo family (Stefano and Alberto Chiarlo)Barbera d'Asti DOCG

Founded in 1956, Michele Chiarlo is one of Monferrato's leading houses, with holdings across Barbera d'Asti, Nizza, Gavi and Barolo and the La Court vineyard art park near Asti.

Tasting: Tastings at the Calamandrana cellar and the open-air Art Park La Court; visits by reservation.

Signature wines: Michele Chiarlo Barbera d'Asti La Court, Michele Chiarlo Nizza Cipressi, Barolo Cerequio

Coppo ★ 4.5

Barbera d'Asti DOCG, Nizza DOCG, Asti DOCG and Alta Langa DOCGBarbera, Moscato Bianco, Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, CorteseFounded 1892Coppo familyCanelli DOCG

Founded in Canelli in 1892, Coppo is a Monferrato house known for the barrique-aged Pomorosso Barbera and traditional-method sparkling wines, cellaring in UNESCO-listed tufa caves.

Tasting: Guided visits and tastings in the UNESCO-listed underground cathedral cellars beneath Canelli.

Signature wines: Coppo Pomorosso Barbera d'Asti, Coppo Riserva Spumante, Moncalvina Moscato Dasti

La Scolca ★ 4.5

Gavi DOCG and Alta Langa DOCGCorteseFounded 1919Soldati familyGavi DOCG

The Soldati family pioneered premium Gavi at Rovereto, trademarking Gavi dei Gavi in 1969. La Scolca makes age-worthy 100% Cortese whites and traditional-method sparkling wines.

Tasting: Tastings and visits by appointment at the Rovereto di Gavi estate, with Villa Scolca for events.

Signature wines: La Scolca Gavi dei Gavi Etichetta Nera, Gavi Valentino, Soldati La Scolca Brut Millesimato

La Scolca Gavi dei Gavi White Label entry, Gavi DOCG ★ 4.1

Gavi DOCGCorteseEUR 16-22 retail

Cortese from the historic Gavi house at Rovereto. Crisp green-apple and citrus with a flinty, mineral finish, the dry white that put Gavi on the map at an everyday price for its black-label sibling's cellar.

Tip: The basic Gavi from this estate over-delivers; reserve the famous black-label Gavi dei Gavi for a splurge.

Wine and cheese

Piedmont cheese with Cortese

All Piedmont pairings
Murazzano Our pick A fresh Murazzano is milky and delicately fragrant, with piquant notes as it ages. Gavi's dry Cortese, medium in body with high acidity, cleans the palate and leaves that delicate aroma intact. Gavi, Piedmont: La Scolca Gavi dei Gavi Etichetta Nera

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