Spinetta Timorasso

Timorasso is a white grape from Piedmont in northwest Italy, and it has a reputation for making fuller, more textured whites than most of its neighbors. This bottle is listed under the Massachusetts appellation in the United States, so treat the notes below as what the grape usually delivers rather than a measured profile of this particular wine. Wines labeled Timorasso are generally dry, with more weight than a typical Italian white. Expect aromas in the range of ripe pear, yellow apple, quince and citrus peel, sometimes with a chalky or flinty mineral edge. The palate usually runs medium-full in body, with a waxy, almost oily texture and firm acidity that keeps it from feeling heavy. With no tannin to speak of, structure comes from acidity and texture. Oak is not a defining feature of the grape. Many examples are made in stainless steel or large neutral vessels, though some producers use barrels. The finish tends to be long and savory, often with a slightly bitter almond or citrus-pith note. At the table, it suits dishes that would overwhelm a lighter white. Try roast chicken with herbs, veal in a cream or butter sauce, risotto with mushrooms or saffron, and pasta with white ragù or truffle. Aged hard cheeses and fried or roasted freshwater fish also work. Its acidity handles richness well, and its body can stand up to modest spice. Serve it at about 10 to 12°C (50 to 54°F). Straight from a cold refrigerator it can taste muted, so take it out 15 to 20 minutes before pouring. Decanting is optional. A short pour into a decanter, or simply a bit of time in the glass, can help open up a young bottle. Use a medium-sized white wine glass with a slight taper, which lets the aromatics gather without the bowl being so wide that the wine warms quickly. Producers often treat Timorasso as a wine that can improve with several years of cellaring, and the best examples develop honeyed, nutty and petrol-like notes. Without a vintage or producer detail for this bottle, the safest approach is to open it within a few years of purchase, or to check a trusted source on the specific vintage before cellaring it long term.