Gavi wine is a light-bodied, desert-dry, very crisp white wine from Northern Italy's Piedmont region. It is the first Italian white to gain international recognition, and is still considered the white jewel of the Piedmont region's crown.
It is made exclusively from the Cortese grape and is generally pale, straw-colored with a mild fragrance. It's unassuming, yet fruity and well-balanced. You'll find the bouquet includes lemons, green apples and honeydew. It finishes with a nice underlying hint of almonds. It is probably one of the best wines you will ever pair with seafood. It is also tasty with antipasti! Serve chilled.
It is meant to be drunk young, so don't go looking for a Gavi from 1997. It's best after one year, but undrinkable after four.
Gavi wine is Italy's most expensive white wine shipped to U.S. markets, and can be found at good wine shops, at prices ranging from $12 to $45. Any fine Italian restaurant will carry it as well, but expect unreasonably high markups.
