Timorasso
Piedmont's White Revolution
Timorasso is grown in Colli Tortonesi, Tortona and Piedmont.
1other name
- Tastes of
- white peach, flint, honey and almond
- Goes with
- vitello tonnato, aged cheeses and risotto with butter and sage
- Also called
- Timuassa
The story
Walter Massa single-handedly saved Timorasso from extinction in the 1980s. When he started, only 2 hectares remained in Colli Tortonesi. Today, it's Italy's most exciting white grape discovery—a Burgundy-weight white with mineral complexity that ages for decades.
Insider story
Timorasso was considered worthless until Massa proved it could rival top Burgundy.
The grape needs chalky soils and high-altitude sites.
Massa's 'Derthona' bottlings now fetch €50+ and age 20+ years.
Technical deep dive
Full-bodied whites with remarkable aging potential.
High extract, moderate acidity (5.5-6.5 g/L).
Develops honeyed, nutty complexity with age.
Often fermented in large oak or concrete.
Industry secrets
Timorasso's revival is Italy's greatest white wine story of the past 40 years.
Burgundy collectors are discovering it.
Prices rising 15-20% annually.
For collectors
Investment grade B
- Auction records
- Limited—emerging market
- Blue-chip producers
-
- Walter Massa
- Claudio Mariotto
- La Colombera
- Vigneti Massa
- Value picks
- Any Colli Tortonesi Timorasso ($25-45)
- Price trend
- Rising 15-20% annually. Discovery phase.
- Collector’s tip
- Buy Massa Derthona for aging. It rivals white Burgundy.