Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato is a DOC of the Piedmont wine region in the far north-west of Italy. As the label indicates, the title covers white wines made from Cortese grapes grown in the high Monferrato – the hills which lie east of Turin and cover much of south-eastern Piedmont.
The specific area of the Monferrato covered by the Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato DOC lies south of the Tanaro (Piedmont's arterial river) and west of Gavi, arguably Cortese's spiritual home. Although Cortese is best known as the dominant force behind Gavi wines, it also plays a key role in viticulture and winemaking throughout the Monferrato, and even as far east as Custoza in western Veneto.
More than 50 communes are covered by this DOC, divided fairly equally between the provinces of Asti and Alessandria. Among them are Acqui Terme (known for its sparkling red Brachetto d'Acqui), and Ovada of Dolcetto di Ovada fame.
A classic Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato wine is a clean, fresh, relatively light white wine which retains a crisp acidity even in the warmest years. This style is the product of two key influences: the Cortese grape's high levels of natural acidity, and the cooler climes of the high Monferrato hills among which the berries rarely reach full ripeness.
