Cortese

The white grape variety originates from Italy. Synonyms are Bianca Fernanda, Corteis, Cortese Bianca, Cortese Bianco, Cortese d'Asti, Cortese dell'Astigliano, Courteis, Courteisa, Courtesia, Fernanda Bianca and Raverusto. The parentage is unknown. The early ripening, high-yielding vine produces acidic, fruity wines with citrus aromas. It is also used as table grape. The variety was first mentioned in 1614 in an inventory of Castel Monferrato in the Piedmontese province of Alessandria. Today it is grown in the provinces of Alessandria, Asti and Novara in Piedmont, where it is permitted in the DOC/DOCG wines Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato, Colli Tortonesi, Gavi, Monferrato and Piemonte. There are further stocks in Lombardy (DOC wine Oltrepò Pavese) and in Veneto (DOC wines Bianco di Custoza and Garda). In 2016, 2,405 hectares of vines were reported in Italy with a decreasing trend (Kym Anderson statistics).

Cortese - Weintraube und Blatt

Source: Wine Grapes / J. Robinson, J. Harding, J. Vouillamoz / Penguin Books Ltd. 2012
Images: Ursula Brühl, Doris Schneider, Julius Kühn-Institut (JKI)

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Cortese

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