What is Gavi?

Gavi is a DOCG wine region in Piedmont, in Northwest Italy. Piedmont has more high level wine areas than any other region in Italy, but is usually associated with intense red wines. Gavi, however, is a white wine made from the Cortese grape, and it is a crisp white wine, with floral aromas and high acidity. Almost all of the Cortese grapes in the world are grown in Italy, and Gavi is the most famous wine made from 100 percent Cortese grapes. Sometimes the wine has a slight fizz that adds to the feel of the wine in your mouth. Gavi is dry, aromatic and smooth in your mouth. It goes well with seafood dishes. At a recent tasting, I presented the wine and no one had heard of it. In a few minutes, everyone was asking for another taste, and remarking that they had never had a wine quite like it. This is a wine that you drink young, and it is not expensive, perhaps $15-$20 a bottle.