Cortese di Gavi (Italy)

Gavi (Cortese di Gavi) is a white wine from the Gavi area in Piemonte.

It is made exclusively from Cortese grapes.

Typical Flavors


Lime
Lime		 Mandarin
Mandarin		 Apple
Apple		 Peach
Peach

Flowers
Flowers		 Herbs
Herbs		 Chalk
Seashell		 Almonds
Almonds

Citrus and Peach flavors are commonly found in Gavi, with hints of Flowers, Herbs, and bitter Almonds.

Profile

SUGARVery Dry
BODYLight to Medium
FRUITMedium
ACIDITYMedium - High
Serving temperature:
8-10°C (46-50°F)

Food Pairing


Antipasti
Antipasti		 Olive Oil
Olive Oil		 Salads
Salads		 Vegetables
Vegetables

Fish
Fish		 Crab
Seafood		 Pasta
Pasta		 Risotto
Risotto

Gavi is very food friendly.

In Piemonte it is served with fish and seafood, pasta, risotto, and vegetarian dishes.

On the Ligurian coast it is often the preferred wine for local seafood.

Pairing Suggestions

Excellent Pairing:
Olives. Olive Oil. Vinaigrette. Salad.
Fresh Herbs. Pesto. Basil. Spinach.
Grilled Vegetables. Soups.
Green Pasta. Mushroom Risotto.
Seafood Pasta or Risotto. Paella.
Sushi. Sashimi. Raw Fish. Tuna Tartare.

Cheese:
Soft Cheese. Goat Cheese. Feta. Robiola.
Washed Rind. Fontina. Taleggio.

Piemonte Specialities:
Chicken in White Wine Sauce.
Risotto Primavera (Asparagus, Peas, Zucchini).
Tajarin al Tartufo (Truffle Tagliatelle).
Rosemary Focaccia with Tomato Salad.

Ligurian Specialities:
Grilled Fish with Lemon and Basil.
Fried Seafood. Shrimps. Calamari. Sardines.

About Gavi

Documents from the year 972, in the State Archive of Genova mention vineyards in Gavi.

In 1782, the Marquis Andrea Doria wrote about Gavi, and his intentions to ship the wine to America, and Gavi was the first Italian white wine to gain international repute.

The name derives from the production zone, commune di Gavi, and Cortese, the grape variety from which it is made.

The current style of production dates to 1876.

Cortese DOC(G)

DOC status in 1974 and DOCG in 1998:

Grape variety: 100% Cortese
Minimum Alcohol: 10.5%
Minimum Acidity: 5
Maximum Yield: 9,5 tons/ha

The DOCG allows for spumante and metodo classico styles, but most Gavi is produced as a still (fermo) white wine.

The DOCG restricts the production to 11 towns in the Province of Alessandria in Piemonte:

Bosio, Capriata d'Orba, Carrosio, Francavilla Bisio, Gavi, Novi Ligure, Parodi Ligure, Pasturana, San Cristoforo, Serravalle Scrivia, Tassarolo.