Timorasso

Timorasso is a white grape of the Colli Tortonesi in southeastern Piedmont, closely linked with the wine name Derthona. Its revival has made the area an important destination for drinkers seeking substantial Italian whites. It can combine body and texture with a fresh structural line, offering a different experience from the region's lighter, more immediate white wines.

A serious Timorasso can develop with time, but that is a potential expressed through vineyard and winemaking choices rather than an instruction to age every bottle. Lees work and the period before release affect its texture, and not all wines rely on obvious oak. Derthona is a useful local identity to recognise alongside the grape name when searching producer lists.

Try a dry bottle with roast poultry, substantial fish, mushrooms or a rich vegetable dish, allowing enough warmth in the glass for its quieter aromas to appear. A young wine may benefit from air. If you are buying an older vintage, choose a producer and merchant with clear storage and drinking advice instead of assuming age alone makes it more interesting.