From: Piedmont, Italy
Varietal: Cortese
Taste: This Gavi hits a sweet spot of tension in its composition that’s extremely pleasurable. Notes of perfectly ripened lemons, white peach, and ginger are delivered seamlessly, all while showing off a refreshing amount of restraint. In other words, the fruit quality is there but not over-the-top; it keeps you wanting more without beating you over the head with heady aromas and unctuous fruit. Lemon zest and a saline minerality lead to its long finish, with a subtle peach-pit aftertaste. You’ll love this if you love Chablis, Albariño, Chenin Blanc, Sylvaner, and bone-dry Rieslings!
Pairing: It is an exquisite aperitif and pairs well with seafood and chicken to light roasts and mixed fried vegetables and meats. The Cortese grape's high acidity and refreshing character make it an ideal companion for dishes with citrus dressings, light pasta, risottos, and mild cheeses like mozzarella or ricotta. Its mineral notes are particularly delightful with seafood, such as scallops or white fish. Serving it chilled at 46-50° F enhances its refreshing qualities.
Sautéed Scallops With Crushed Peppercorns
By David Tanis
About. The Molinetto Winery is nestled in lower Piedmont. At the helm of this family-run winery is Diego Carrea, whose journey from a career in electronic engineering and computing in Genoa and Milan to embracing his deep-rooted connection to viticulture. In 2008, Diego made a life-altering decision to return to his familial roots, taking over the reins of the winery established by his father, Matteo, and uncle, Domenico, in 1990. His choice to dedicate himself to the winery is not just a career shift but a profound expression of his love for the land, strengthening the bonds with the winery's founders and perpetuating the region's agricultural traditions.
Molinetto's commitment to quality and authenticity is evident in its affiliation with the Consortium of Gavi and the Federazione Italiana Vignaioli Indipendenti, organizations that certify the winery's dedication to transparent, reliable, and high-quality wine production.
The terroir of the Gavi area, where Molinetto lies, plays a crucial role in shaping the unique character of its wines. While Piedmont is renowned for its red wines, the white Gavi or Cortese di Gavi shines in this corner of northeastern Italy. The Cortese grape, the sole component of Gavi wines, thrives in the 15 acres of sustainable vineyards owned by the Carrea family in Tassarolo. The soils here are a fascinating mix of limestone, clay, and the rare "terra rossa," imparting a distinctive minerality and complexity to the grapes.
At the Molinetto Carrea Winery, on the 7 hectares of vineyards, where the rolling hills of Piedmont meet the sea air, is ideal for cultivating the Cortese grape, resulting in the iconic Gavi DOCG wines. This 2020 vintage is especially notable for its soft, fruity, and elegantly fragrant profile, achieved through traditional vinification methods and a commitment to preserving the natural qualities of the grape.
The technical process behind this wine involves hand harvesting the estate fruit, wild yeast fermentation in stainless steel, and brief aging on the lees to enhance its depth and complexity. The grapes undergo direct pressing or brief cold maceration, and the wine is aged in either stainless steel tanks or French oak barrels, with minimal addition of sulfites.
In terms of classification, the 2020 Molinetto Gavi DOCG is a dry white wine boasting an alcohol content of 12.5%. The vineyards in Tassarolo are positioned ideally, facing South to South-West at an altitude of 250 meters above sea level. The terrain is predominantly calcareous clay with patches of red soil, and the vines are trained using the Guyot system.
