Timorasso Derthona '24

Piemonte may be best known for its reds, but Timorasso makes a compelling case for giving its whites equal attention. La Spinetta’s 2024 Derthona puts this distinctive local grape centre stage in a structured, complex white wine. This is a bottle to bring to the dinner table, especially when the food calls for something with more presence than a simple aperitif white.

The two names on the label tell different parts of the story: Timorasso is the grape, while Derthona is the ancient Roman name for Tortona, the town at the heart of its home territory in southeastern Piemonte. Once overshadowed by more widely planted varieties, Timorasso has become a calling card for the area and an intriguing alternative to the region’s better-known wines.

Serve with mushroom risotto, roast chicken with herbs, or fish with a buttery sauce. On a cheese board, try an aged mountain cheese or a firm sheep’s-milk cheese. Pour it cool rather than ice-cold, and give it a little time in the glass before settling into dinner.