The Wines of Gavi: the Territory of Origin

Gavi wine is a white wine from Piedmont, made from pure Cortese grapes. It originates in a territory enclosed by the regions of Lombardy and Liguria, less than 40 kilometres from the sea, extending over no less than 1400 hectares in 11 municipalities in the province of Alessandria between the Po Valley and the Ligurian Apennines.

We are therefore in a middle ground, where the traditions and cultures of different environments meet and merge. This explains why Piedmont in this small strip of land is coloured with white wine, despite the worldwide fame and great success of its illustrious reds.

The uniqueness of Gavi white wine is due to its distinctive microclimate: the sea breezes coming from Liguria, the humidity carried by the winds of the Po Valley and the influence of the mighty mountains create a perfect mix that gives it great personality.

Furthermore, the clayey-calcareous-marly land structure gives it its elegance and delicacy. If we add to all this the expert hand of great producers, the result can only be surprising and makes it even clearer how Gavi wines have, over the last few years, carved out a place for themselves among the most appreciated Italian whites.

Its History

The history that connects the municipality to Gavi wine began as far back as June 972 AD. A document preserved in the archives of Genoa attests to the rental of some vineyards owned by the Archbishop to a farmer from the municipality named Pietro d'Andrea, who was to cultivate them and harvest their fruit for the legitimate owner. This was the first embryo of what centuries later would become Gavi DOCG wine.

Over the following years, these hills became the home of nobles and aristocrats who moved here to laze about and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Here they built castles and villages, which still remain Italian heritage sites and are surrounded by mythological stories and great tales.

Among these, the legend of Princess Gavia or Gavina deserves to be mentioned. She was the daughter of the king of the Franks, who, as a consequence of her love story not being approved by her father, escaped and took refuge in the fortress which now bears the name of the town.

The story is not very clear because no documents have been found to offer the original version, but the important thing is that the princess probably inspired the name of the Cortese vine because of her sweet and gentle character.

Other legends narrate that the vine took this name precisely because of its rich and noble nature, always reserved for the courts. In short, its origin is shrouded in mystery, but its fascinating and long tradition confirms it as a treasure of the Italian peninsula.

Characteristics and Pairings

A wine with a light straw-yellow colour, due only to the time spent in steel vats or to the early harvest, or with a more intense colour if the grapes are riper, Gavi DOCG is capable of offering a wide range of aromas.

The aromas are delicate and reminiscent of yellow fruit and wildflowers and can take on more marked and complex notes depending on the period of ageing. Freshness is the distinguishing feature of this type, by virtue of its pleasant acidity and savoury-mineral qualities.

In recent years Gavi has revealed itself as a white wine with good ageing potential, capable of giving its best even after a long period in the bottle.

Its elegant structure and vibrant freshness make it the perfect companion for aperitifs, simple fish-based hors d'oeuvres, soft cheeses and first courses with vegetables or shellfish, thus enhancing its various sensory qualities. It also goes very well with delicate raw fish dishes, such as sushi and sashimi in Japanese cuisine or Peruvian ceviche.

For all the lovers of good food, on Callmewine you can find a wide selection of Gavi DOCG wines, which are among the best on the market. All of them are complete with a technical data sheet, sommelier description and pairing advice. Discover the best bottles online on Callmewine at the most competitive prices from our wide range.