Ottosoldi Gavi D.O.C.G. 2015

Ottosoldi’s 2015 Gavi embodies the essence of the elegant Cortese varietal, as it offers the supreme balance for which the Cortese from Gavi is renowned. From the wine’s bright sun-kissed robe to the last savory sip, the 2015 Ottosoldi Gavi offers delightful drinking. Fragrant with delicate floral and orchard fruit scents (think summer apples, apricots, and pears), the wine’s haunting aroma is sure to elicit a smile. Given the warmth of the 2015 vintage, the 2015 Ottosoldi Gavi comes across on the palate a bit fleshier than in most years but with an equal portion of acidity and vivacity to preserve Gavi’s fresh, ethereal quality. Apple, pear, lemon curd and subtle mineral flavors delight the mouth and tongue before gliding easily down the thirsty throat, which seems to beg for another sip, if only to discern what it is about this Gavi’s subtle flavors and beautiful texture that makes it so alluring. Given the wine’s graceful entrance, impressive performance, and invigorating exit, it’s hard not to like the 2015 Ottosoldi Gavi. No wonder then that James Suckling was so taken by Ottosoldi’s 2015 Gavi that he awarded it 93 points. For optimal enjoyment, we suggest serving this delicious Gavi moderately chilled (40°-45° F). Salute!

The 2015 Ottosoldi Gavi provides the ideal wine to serve at the beginning of an elegant dinner party or simply after a long day, as it offers both comfort and refreshment to help wash away the cares of life. Very few white wines make better aperitifs than Ottosoldi’s Gavi, yet our preference is to bring it to table to accompany fish, shellfish and poultry. Sautéed Sea Scallops prepared in a cream sauce with unsalted pistachio nuts and Mediterranean herbs is one of our all-time favorite dishes to accompany Gavi. Pan Seared Red Snapper stuffed with sautéed spinach and melted Fontina cheese provides another delicious accompaniment to this wine. Pasta Primavera and an artfully prepared Chicken or Veal Piccata offer more outstanding choices to serve with the 2015 Ottosoldi Gavi. In addition, the Cortese grape possesses an affinity for accompanying all kinds of young cow’s milk cheeses, so why not serve it with Gouda, Muenster, or a fine Comté? Enjoy!

Ottosoldi highlights the beauty of the Cortese grape in Gavi, Italy’s premier appellation for the elegant Cortese varietal. Owned by Stefano and Massimo Moccagatta and Michele Marsiaj, Ottosoldi was born from a small parcel that Stefano and Massimo’s grandfather purchased in 1920. Their grandfather, who purchased the small vineyard Ottosoldi now cultivates, referred to the land as “Otto soldi” (eight coins), an Italian expression signifying that it was worth a fortune. From this tiny southwest facing vineyard on limestone and marl soils, Ottosoldi fashions exceptional Gavi, which is fermented in both stainless steel and large tonneaux barrels, imbuing the wine with both freshness and texture.

Stefano and Massimo Moccagatta’s unrelenting goal is to re-establish Gavi as one of the world's great white wines. In their D.O.C.G. Gavi they tie together tradition, terroir, and the production of one of Italy’s most renowned white wines, which they dedicate to their grandfather and “all grandparents who pass on from generation to generation, fundamental family values.”

In the north of Italy, nestled just beneath the great Alpine wall as it tumbles out of Switzerland and the gleaming Mediterranean Sea, lies Piemonte, Italy’s Piedmont. It is a region of myriad beauty. It is also the region of Italy closest to France in proximity as well as in the sheer quality and variety of exceptional wines it produces. For centuries, Italy’s Piedmont remained a prize to be won among warring European powers; no doubt at least in part on account of the province’s world famous cuisine that still draws happily on the abundance and quality of local truffles. Yet, today, it is the superbly made wines of Italy’s Piedmont that garner the most international recognition: complex, hedonistic red wines, delicate still whites such as Gavi, and sweet haunting Muscats. With such exquisite fare, should anyone question why the wines of the Piedmont and the hearty robust delights of the Piedmontese table remain the region’s most famous ambassadors to a hungry and thirsty world?

Gavi has been likened to white Burgundy, but the comparison does neither wine justice. At their best, both Gavi and white Burgundy possess ripe, rich fruit, a clean mineral quality, and ideal balance, but Gavi will always remain a more delicate wine than white Burgundy. The Cortese varietal, from which authentic Gavi is born, in harmony with the soil, climate, and ultimate terroir of the Gavi zone, renders a decidedly unique, somewhat different wine from white Burgundy. Gavi will almost always be the lighter, more ethereal wine, but none the less for the difference. True Gavi provides the perfect balance between clean, delicious fruit and vibrant acidity, which makes it an ideal aperitif as well as a sublime accompaniment to seafood and poultry.