Monferrato Bianco DOC "Zefiro" 2025 - La Voltignana

Zefiro — the west wind, which in Greek mythology heralded spring. And it is precisely to the west that the vineyards of La Voltignana look, Federica Mazzarello's farm in Mornese, a small village in Alto Monferrato in the province of Alessandria, at an altitude of 360 meters between the last foothills of the Ligurian Apennines and the Piedmontese hills. A border territory, rugged and windswept, where Cortese finds one of its most authentic and lesser-known habitats.

100% Cortese, Guyot-trained with integrated pest management and zero herbicides, harvested exclusively by hand in small crates in the second ten days of September. The grapes enter the winery within two hours of harvesting — a non-trivial detail that fully preserves the aromatic freshness of the fruit. This is followed by soft pressing with separation of the free-run must from the pressed must; only the free-run must is transferred to refrigerated tanks for flotation and then fermented at a controlled temperature of 15°C. Aging takes place in stainless steel on the fine lees for about five months, until bottling in April.

In the glass, it presents with a bright straw yellow color. On the nose it is delicate and fragrant: white flowers and fresh fruit in a clean and inviting bouquet. On the palate it is full, rich, soft and enveloping, with aromatic notes derived from the full ripeness of the grapes and a well-balanced freshness that supports the sip to a pleasant and persistent finish.

A Cortese from a small artisan winery, in a territory still to be discovered.

Recommended pairings: fish appetizers, herb risotto, pasta with seafood, white meats, fresh cheeses.