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 |
 Mandarin |
 Apple |
 Peach |
 Flowers |
 Herbs |
 Seashell |
 Almonds |
Citrus and Peach flavors are commonly found in Gavi, with hints of Flowers, Herbs, and bitter Almonds.
Profile
| SUGAR | Very Dry | ||
| BODY | Light to Medium | ||
| FRUIT | Medium | ||
| ACIDITY | Medium - High | ||
| |||
Food Pairing
 Antipasti |
 Olive Oil |
 Salads |
 Vegetables |
 Fish |
 Seafood |
 Pasta |
 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.
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The Ideal Glass
A Tulip Shaped glass is the best choice for a dry white wine.
It guides the wine to the center of your mouth, avoiding the sides, where acidity is less pleasant.
A smaller bowl also helps to serve smaller quantities, and keep the wine cold.
Remember to hold the glass by the stem!
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.
Piemonte (Piedmont)
Piemonte has been an important wine province since Roman times. The area is influenced both culturally and climatically by the Alps in the north, and the Ligurian coast in the south.
Red Wines:
Barbaresco
Barbera
Barbera Superiore
Barolo
Brachetto
Dolcetto
Dolcetto Dogliani
Nebbiolo
Nizza
Gattinara
Ruchè
Terre Alfieri
Vespolina
White Wines:
Arneis
Cortese di Gavi
Favorita
Langhe Rossese
Roero Arneis
Terre Alfieri Arneis
Timorasso
Rosé Wines:
Sparkling:
Piemonte
Nebbiolo (the power of the Barolo and Barbaresco) is the most famous grape of Piemonte, followed by the red grapes Barbera and Dolcetto.
For whites, Cortese and Arneis are the most popular grapes.
For dessert, the off-dry, sparkling Moscato d'Asti is the queen.
The most important wine regions are:
- Asti (Barbera d'Asti)
- Langhe (Nebbiolo, Barolo, Barbaresco, Barbera di Alba, Dolcetto, Roero)
- Monferrato (Barbera del Monferrat, Nizza, Cortese di Gavi)
- North (Gattinara, Ghemme)
Piemonte's DOCG regions:
- Alta Langa (Metodo Classico)
- Asti (100% Moscato)
- Barbaresco (100 %Nebbiolo)
- Barbera d'Asti (Min. 90% Barbera)
- Barbera del Monferrato Superiore (Min. 14 months storage)
- Barolo (100% Nebbiolo)
- Brachetto d'Acqui (100% Brachetto)
- Gavi (100% Cortese)
- Dogliani Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Ovada Superiore (100% Dolcetto)
- Diano d'Alba (100% Dolcetto)
- Erbaluce di Caluso (aka Caluso)
- Gattinara (Min 90% Nebbiolo)
- Ghemme (Min 85% Nebbiolo)
- Nizza (100% Barbera)
- Roero (100% Arneis)
- Ruchè di Castagnole Monferrato (90% Ruchè)
- Terre Alfieri (Arneis and Nebbiolo))