La Scolca was my first Gavi experience many years ago and it continues to live up to that fond memory. In perhaps a stroke of marketing genius, the winery trademarked Gavi dei Gavi in Europe in 1969 and the US in 1971. Gavi/ Cortese di Gavi became a DOC in 1974, a DOCG in 1998. It is made from the Cortese grape, which has been documented in the Piedmont region since the early 1600s. After the grapes are pressed, a portion of the juice is allowed to macerate on its skins, unusual for a white wine (unless it’s an orange wine). The skin is where the polyphenols live, as well as the pigments, aromas and flavors. Judicious use of this skin contact imparts an intensity and structure to this wine that sets it apart. The color is pale yellow with a slight, green tint. The aromas are concentrated lemon with light floral notes and in the mouth the intense citrus fruit mingles with light nutty and dusty mineral notes. It is a lean, intense, structured wine that will enhance a meal with fresh oysters or grilled halibut.
La Scolca, Gavi dei Gavi DOCG (Piedmont, Italy) 2018
By Rebecca Murphy