In the 1980s, Piedmont’s native Timorasso was all but extinct. That is until a handful of producers, Claudio Mariotto included, refocussed their attention on this magical grape, harnessed its power and started producing some beautiful wines. Timorasso doesn’t ripen easily and has only ever been grown successfully in a tiny corner in southeast Piedmont, in the rolling hills around the town of Tortona. In the hands of very few winemakers, Timorasso wines balance moreish, food-friendly acidity, big fruit flavours, and mouth-filling textures. They’re muscular wines with a lot of character but very unique in their structure. Look closely and you’ll begin to see Timorasso appearing on restaurant wine lists up and down the country as sommeliers and wine-buyers recognise its versatility when paired with food.

About the wine

Claudio Mariotto is turned to as one of the experts in Timorasso. He produces five wines from this indigenous varietal, each from grapes grown on his 60-hectare estate which he farms sustainably.