2022 Berry Bros. & Rudd Gavi di Gavi by Roberto Sarotto, Piedmont, Italy
About this WINE
Roberto Sarotto, Piedmont
Located close to the town of Gavi, in the frazione Zerbetta, at 260 metres above sea level on ancient Miocene sedimentary marne/tufo soils that are identical to those found in the Langhe to the north, Roberto & Aurora Sarotto’s 12ha Tenuta Manenti estate is perfectly placed to grow exquisite Cortese grapes for their fine Gavi del Comune di Gavi wines; the nutrient poor white soils focussing Cortese’s energy into the fruit, not the leaves.
Berry Bros. & Rudd started buying Roberto’s Gavi di Gavi in 2001 when he was winemaker at the Cantina Sociale (Cooperative), identifying his talent as a top producer of fine Gavi di Gavi. This relationship grew when Roberto bought his own estate shortly after.
Tenuta Manenti estate produces two hand-picked, whole-bunch pressed Cortese Gavis: ‘Bric Sassi’, from the upper, higher part (the ‘bric’) of the single 12 ha vineyard, strewn with stones (‘sassi’), which consistently treats us to ethereal, honeydew, white flower Gavi; while the Gavi ‘Aurora’ comes from fruit grown in the lower part of the vineyard, on clay rich soils, giving a fuller, fruitier style of wine.
Gavi
Gavi di Gavi (aka Cortese di Gavi) is a famous white wine DOCG zone in Piedmont, Italy. The 1,200-hectare vineyard area surrounds the city of Gavi itself.
Cortese is the grape behind the wines of Gavi di Gavi, and is distinguished by its crisp, floral, peachy, aromatic qualities. Its wines are best enjoyed young.
Piedmont’s most famous (and finest) white grape, Cortese has produced wines here since the 17th century. It only covers 1,500 hectares of the whole region, and is mostly found around the city of Alessandria and the Monferrato hills.
Recommended producers: Roberto Sarotto
Cortese
This white grape produces wines in the appellations of Cortese dell'Alto Monferrato, Colli Tortonesi as well as the DOCG wine of Gavi di Gavi. Cortese is a native grape variety of Alessandria in Piedmont and tends to perform best in the hills between Novi and Tortona in Piedmont. The grape has been so successful in Gavi (which is located in the south of Piedmont close to Liguria) that it is known there as Cortese di Gavi.
Typically produces wines that are pale lemon-white in colour, possess a fine fragrance and are steely and dry on the palate. The best examples can develop an intense honeyed richness with medium term ageing.
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Description
The cortese grape yields a lively, generous white with great zip and acidity. Ideal with pasta.
Will Lyons, The Sunday Times (April 2024)
Gavi di Gavi is the traditional heartland of this commune, producing the best quality white wines in this region. Made from the Cortese grape, Gavi wines are light (normally between 12 and 13% alcohol), with zesty acidity and plenty of citrus flavours. Like this wine, they are normally unoaked and a perfect alternative to a fresh Pinot Grigio. This wine, made for us by the Sarotto family, pairs particularly well with seafood pasta or asparagus dishes.
Cellar Plan members enjoy a 10% saving on this wine at checkout.
Tasting note
The dry and warm vintage suited the Cortese grape, which retained freshness due to the mineral-rich white soils here. This is delicate and finessed, with bright aromas of spring flowers, yellow peach and citrus, and a refreshingly mineral finish. Vibrant and elegant, this is a quintessential Northern Italian white.
Davy Żyw, Senior Buyer, Berry Bros. & Rudd
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