Producer Background: Gavi is the name of a town in the Apennines Mountains in the region of Piedmont, near Liguria, which gave its name to a dry, white wine when La Scolca began production of Gavi 90 years ago. The Gavi zone obtained DOC status in 1974 and the higher-level DOCG in 1998. Before the Gavi DOC was established, La Scolca produced its benchmark Gavi wine “Gavi dei Gavi®,” better known as "Black Label," a registered trademark in the U.S. since 1971. The success of this wine has bred many imitators, including wines labeled "Gavi di Gavi," which bear no relation to "Gavi dei Gavi®," wines made from grapes that must come from vineyards located in the Gavi Municipality. As Burgundy’s Côte de Beaune is for Chardonnay, the Gavi DOCG is the finest terroir for the Cortese grape, and when grown here, the grapes produce wines with the fullest expression of distinct personality in aroma and flavor.

La Scolca led the movement to establish an exciting, new quality level for dry Italian white wines when the Soldati family launched their Gavi dei Gavi in 1966. Gavi comes from a small growing area located north of Genoa on the steep slopes of the Ligurian Apennines.

The 62-acre La Scolca estate, owned and directed by Giorgio Soldati, is situated in one of the best communes, Rovereto. La Scolca is an artisinal winery which pioneered modern, controlled, vinification in stainless steel to preserve the subtle fruit of the Cortese grape. Yields are kept low, well below the legal maximum, through severe pruning and thinning.

Wine Type: Dry Rose

Grape Type: 95% Cortese, 5% Pinot Noir.

Country: Italy

Region: Piedmont

Vinification:

Produced from a blend of the region's esteemed Cortese grape with a small percentage of Pinot Noir for extra color and body. Steel-fermented, with just enough skin contact to provide the light rose color and additional flavor presence.

2008 Harvest Notes:
"The vintage 2008 was characterized by a mild winter with little precipitation, above average temperatures, sunny days and short snowfall. The spring, which was rainy until early June, caused delayed growth. In the following months, a return to ideal weather conditions contributed to a gradual, balanced maturation, which resulted in attractive aromas and flavors. The good weather underscored the varied characteristics expressed by grapes harvested from the different crus.

The spring weather encouraged an excellent pollination in the vineyards only in the best sites of Gavi. In the Gavi area, dramatic differences in the quality of grapes were seen. The moment of selection of applying appropriate treatments was also crucial, which amplified the superiority of the wines produced in our parcels of great La Scolca crus.

The cool summer weather permitted a slow, gradual maturation, and the wide day/night temperature ranges have encouraged superior levels of acidity in the grapes. This is a 'guarantee of quality' both in total and for the aging potential of our white wines and sparkling wines.

At time of harvest, the grapes were perfectly healthy, and the fruit was picked at a very good time, the right climate, i.e. with morning temperatures well below the average of 10ºC. This facilitated the process of winemaking and guaranteed the increase of sugar content and very aromatic profiles.

The harvest ended the first week of September, before early autumn fog which damaged fruit that was left to harvest during this period. Overall, 2008 was a very good vintage; the right one to celebrate our 90th Anniversary in 2009!"
—Georgio and Chiara Soldati, La Scolca

Tasting Notes: Pleasant light pink color. Delicate rose and floral scents. Harmonious and well-rounded on the palate, with a pleasant lingering finish. Soft but intense.

Food Match: white meats, shellfish, fish, crab, chicken.