From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Cortese
Tasting Notes: The wine’s delicate bouquet of dried pineapple, lemon, and peach with mineral undertones continues to unfold on the palate, which shows a spectrum of full fruit flavors (peach, apple, melon) that mingle with the wine's tangy, citrusy acidity and persists on its chalky, refreshing finish.
James Suckling, 91 points
Pairing: This wine would pair beautifully with any pesto-based dish that you have in your cooking rotation. However, if you’re looking for a bit of a cooking challenge, it you should pair it with this recipe for Pansotti Pasta with Walnut Sauce, a dish common in the Italian Riviera (Liguria). The maritime influence of the Mediterranean is felt in Gavi, where it is said to occasionally smell of the sea that lies just about an hour’s drive away.
About. Located in Monterotondo, the heart of Gavi DOC, Villa Sparina was founded by Mario Moccagatta. The winery is currently run by Mario, along with his two sons Stefano and Massimo. Head enologist Beppe Caviola, one of the foremost winemakers in Piemonte, has brought Gavi to new heights exploring the full potential of the Cortese grape. All of the Villa Sparina wine is produced from estate-grown fruit and is estate-bottled. The vineyards are overseen by agronomist Federico Curtaz, formerly of Gaja. They are increasingly oriented towards reducing yields, in an effort to achieve the highest possible quality. Harvest is delayed until the last possible moment, giving the wines great concentration and a wonderful balance of acidity and fruit.
