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Gavi, or in full – Cortese di Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) is an Italian dry white wine made in the province of Piedmont on the border with Liguria. It has the status of a name protected by origin. In 1974, the wine received the DOC category, and in 1998 it was “upgraded” to DOCG. The strength of the drink is 10-12% vol.
Wine Gavi is named after the commune of the same name, in which there are many wineries. Cortese is an autochthonous grape variety, from which, in fact, a noble drink is made.
History
It is known that wine from the Cortese variety was produced already at the beginning of the XNUMXth century, in addition, this is the first Italian white wine to gain international fame. For a long time, Gavi was considered the best wine of Piedmont, but now it has been overshadowed by Moscato d’Asti and Arneis.
Features of Cortese grapes
The Cortese variety produces a bountiful harvest, so winemakers carefully thin out the vines to maintain the high quality of the wine. This is a sour grape that produces a rather mediocre wine outside the Gavi zone – but it is in a dedicated appellation that the negative qualities of the variety are mitigated due to the unique microclimate.
The commune, on the one hand, is protected from strong winds by the Alps, on the other hand, in the summer it is blown by light breezes from the Mediterranean Sea, so the berries rarely become moldy or subject to other diseases, although the variety is prone to diseases.
In Cortez, the berries are more than enough sunlight, and the strong temperature drops at night allow the grapes to be both aromatic and sour-refreshing at the same time. Mineral-rich soil is also important, giving the crop a unique taste.
Organoleptic properties of Gavi wines
Gavi wine has a rich fruity taste, in which you can distinguish notes of lemon, ripe apples, nutmeg, peaches. The aroma has nuances of wet stone, grass, white flowers.
Connoisseurs note that Gavi is similar to a good Chablis or Pinot Grigio.
Styles and types of gavi
The vast majority of Gavi are still dry wines, but some producers produce sparkling variations. Some winemakers use the same technology as in the production of French champagne, so sparkling Gavi can be a good budget replacement for expensive French champagne.
To reduce excessive acidity, sometimes winemakers resort to malolactic fermentation (transferring bitter malic acid into softer lactic acid through fermentation), but this is not a mandatory requirement of the technology.
How to drink Gavi wine
Gavi makes the perfect gourmet pairing with seafood, especially shrimp and oysters. You can also offer pasta with basil and pine nuts, Thai seafood soup, pesto.
Gavi should be served in white wine glasses, chilled to 7-12 degrees. It is recommended to store the purchased bottle in the wine cellar for no longer than 3-5 years, and it is better to open it immediately.
Famous brands
The best images of this wine are produced in the Gavi di Gavi DOCG appellation, in the heart of the zone. They are often referred to as the “Piedmontese Chablis”.
The most famous representative of the style is Roberto Sarotto. Other brands: Bine, Broglia, Castello di Tassarolo, Cinzia Bergaglio, Fontanassa, Giustiniana, etc.