Ortese

Ortese is a term that may appear in some sources, but it does not denote a widely recognized wine grape or linguistic term. In many cases, ortese is simply a misspelling or variant spelling of Cortese, a white grape variety from Italy.

Cortese is grown primarily in Piedmont, especially in the areas around Alessandria and Asti. Wines made from Cortese are typically dry, with high acidity and a light- to medium-bodied profile. Common flavor notes include green apple, lemon, pear, and mineral or floral hints. The best-known wine produced from Cortese is Gavi, or Gavi di Gavi, which highlights the variety’s crisp character and aging potential in favorable sites.

In Italian, the standard adjective for courteous is cortese. Ortese is not a standard form in contemporary Italian and is generally considered a misspelling or dialectal variation rather than a separate term.

See also: Cortese (grape).