Gavi wine: characteristics, classification, producers

Drinks made from white Cortese grapes are produced in Piedmont, one of the most developed regions of Italy.

Gavi wines belong to the highest class "DOCG" (Denominazione di Origin Controllata e Garantita).

Characteristics of the variety and beverages

Cortese is grown in the southeastern part of Piedmont and harvested in 11 communes, one of which gave the name to Gavi wines.

Grape plantations are located on the hills in the immediate vicinity of the Ligurian Sea.

The soils in the region are diverse, as are the climatic conditions. The best raw materials are harvested on the Rovereto hill.

Cortese is one of the most expensive and most famous local varieties, capable of keeping freshness regardless of weather conditions.

Ripe fruits are characterized by high acidity, which is difficult to control, so the grape is not popular outside the region.

In Piedmont, they have learned to turn this feature into an advantage.

Wine classification

Three groups of wines are united under the name "Gavi":

1. Quiet

2. Sparkling wines

3. Frisante

Beverages are produced using classical technologies with some additions.

The Cortese variety is considered quite difficult to handle: only experienced winemakers know how to handle it.

The main problem is high acidity, which becomes even more significant in cold years.

There are two ways to solve this problem:

1. By adding concentrated must to fermented wine.

2. The use of partial malolactic fermentation to soften the taste.

Quiet dry wines of Gavi

The production process includes an additional six months of aging in bottles.

The strength of the classic wines: 10-11%.

Seafood and fish of all kinds are the perfect complement to quiet Gavi.

Wine should be thoroughly chilled before serving.

All Cortese wines are characterized by freshness and predominance of citrus and floral notes in the bouquet.

1. The aroma is characterized by sweet notes of spices, acacia honey, peach and almond hints.

2. The color of the drinks is determined by the pale yellow color of the berries: the wines are characterized by a light lemon hue with a touch of green.

3. The taste is elegant, harmonious with the obligatory inclusion of mineral components.

Sparkling wines of Gavi

The taste of Gavi sparkling wine is rich, light, balanced, and always complemented by mineral notes.

High acidity is also less noticeable, but there is a slight bitterness.

It is better to drink with cheeses, vegetable and fish appetizers.

Suitable as an aperitif.

Features of production

After arriving at the factory, the preparation of hand-picked raw materials is carried out as quickly as possible, as the fragile aroma of the "capricious" Cortese quickly evaporates in heat.

Venerable winemakers try to send it under the press immediately. The finished wort is cooled down to 5 °C and spends several hours in this state, after which the fermentation phase begins at a temperature of approximately 17 °C. It lasts for several weeks.

Aging is carried out in steel containers or oak barrels. The "capricious" character of Cortese is also evident here: he does not like long-term storage in "wood" - the aroma of wine is spoiled by such storage. Therefore, producers have to adapt, changing containers in search of the right "taste".

Sparkling Gavi (dry, brut, sweet) is made according to the traditional Italian method of Sharma. For frizzante, the secondary fermentation process is interrupted, which reduces the level of carbon dioxide in it.

Producers of Gavi

The first decent wine made from Cortese fruit appeared at the La Scolca winery. It was here that the drink was produced, which later gained worldwide popularity. Before that, white varieties from Piedmont had not received much attention.

Today, there are many good Gavi producers in the region, besides the oldest one, La Scolca, and so are the wines they produce.

Among the famous ones are: "Villa Sparina", "Nicola Bergaglio", "Broglia Gian Piero", "La Giustiniana".

Update: 25.09.2018

Category: Wine and Vermouth