Scarpa Monferrato Bianco Timorasso, Piedmont, Italy

2022 Scarpa Monferrato Bianco Timorasso is a compelling expression of one of Piedmont's most distinctive indigenous white grapes. Produced by the historic Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa, this 100% Timorasso comes from the estate's I Bricchi vineyards, where elevated hillside sites, clay-rich soils and a dry, sunny climate shaped by breezes from Liguria contribute to a wine of remarkable freshness and mineral definition. Fermented and matured in stainless steel, with extended lees contact and patient bottle aging, it combines ripe yellow fruit, citrus brightness and a finely textured palate. The result is a structured, elegant white wine that reflects Scarpa's longstanding commitment to precision, restraint and the capacity of great wines to develop with time.

Product Details:

• Chief Executive Officer: Davide Champion
• Winemaker & Enologist: Silvio Trinchero
• Grape Variety: 100% Timorasso
• Alcohol: 13.5% ABV
• Vineyard Source: I Bricchi estate vineyards, situated between Castel Rocchero and Acqui Terme
• Vineyard Elevation: Approximately 350 to over 400 metres above sea level
• Vineyard Exposure: Predominantly southwest-facing slopes
• Soil: Predominantly clay with a small proportion of sand
• Climate: Dry and sunny, moderated by breezes from Liguria
• Viticulture: Organic farming practices, as stated in the supplied product information; certification unconfirmed
• Skin Contact: Approximately 20 hours of pre-fermentation maceration
• Clarification: Approximately 24 hours of cold static settling after pressing
• Fermentation: Stainless steel tanks
• Lees Aging: Approximately nine months in stainless steel with periodic bâtonnage
• Bottle Aging: Approximately 24 months before release
• Oak Influence: None; vinification and maturation take place without wood
• Closure: Cork
• Drinking Window: 2025–2032

Sensory Description:

In the glass, 2022 Scarpa Monferrato Bianco Timorasso displays a deep, luminous straw-yellow color with golden highlights. Its expressive bouquet opens with ripe yellow orchard fruits, fresh apple and citrus zest, accompanied by delicate acacia blossom, subtle herbal nuances and a distinctive flinty mineral character. Hints of lemon, lime and wet stone bring further definition to the aromatic profile, revealing a wine that balances fruit ripeness with savory complexity. The palate is medium-bodied, structured and energetic, with lively acidity providing tension and lift. Ripe apple and yellow fruit notes unfold alongside bright citrus, while a finely textured mouthfeel reflects the wine's extended contact with its fine lees. A persistent mineral thread introduces a subtle saline quality, carrying the flavors into a precise, refreshing, and lingering finish. Already expressive, this Timorasso possesses the concentration and acidity to develop additional complexity with further bottle age.

Awards & Accolades:

• Falstaff: 91 Points, 2022 Scarpa Bianco Monferrato DOC, tasted April 18, 2025, by Othmar Kiem and Simon Staffler.

Winemaker's Background:

Antica Casa Vinicola Scarpa traces its origins to Antonio Scarpa, a Venetian wine merchant who established the winery in Nizza Monferrato around 1900. Its modern identity was shaped by Mario Pesce, a Piedmontese enologist whose training in Burgundy and Alsace inspired a philosophy centered on careful vineyard selection, controlled yields, traditional cellar methods, and extended maturation. Taking over the winery in 1949, Pesce helped transform Scarpa into one of Monferrato's respected historic producers, bringing particular attention to the aging potential and refinement of Barbera and other indigenous Piedmontese varieties. His emphasis on patience, regional identity, and the expressive character of each vintage continues to inform the estate's approach today.

Silvio Trinchero, Scarpa's enologist since 2007, carries this philosophy forward through meticulous vineyard oversight and thoughtful, measured cellar work. Having developed his expertise within Scarpa's longstanding winemaking tradition, Trinchero focuses on bringing healthy, high-quality grapes into the winery and preserving the individual character of the estate's diverse vineyard sites. Under the leadership of CEO Davide Champion, Scarpa continues to combine its historical foundations with investment in its vineyards and facilities. The 2022 Monferrato Bianco Timorasso demonstrates this commitment through its careful stainless steel vinification, extended lees maturation and deliberate bottle aging, allowing the grape's natural acidity, mineral expression and aging potential to emerge without the influence of oak.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 8–12°C in a medium-sized white wine glass to allow its layered fruit, floral and mineral aromas to develop. This structured Timorasso is particularly well suited to shellfish, grilled prawns, scallops and delicate white fish, where its lively acidity complements the natural sweetness of seafood. It also pairs beautifully with Caesar salad, chicken salad, herb-roasted poultry, grilled vegetables and fresh or moderately aged cheeses. For a more substantial pairing, consider a creamy seafood risotto or roast chicken with lemon and herbs. Enjoy now for its bright citrus character and mineral tension, or cellar carefully through the suggested drinking window for greater aromatic complexity and texture.