Bersano Gavi Di Gavi

Bersano Gavi Di Gavi is a dry, mineral-driven Italian white wine made from 100% Cortese grapes in the Gavi DOCG of Piedmont, bottled at 12.5% ABV in a standard 750ml format. The 2023 vintage earned a 95/100 score from Italian wine critic Luca Maroni, underscoring the consistency and quality of this benchmark expression of Cortese.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12.5%  |  Origin: Gavi DOCG, Piedmont, Italy  |  Style: Dry White  |  Producer: Bersano

Production & Heritage

Bersano operates the largest vineyard estate in Piedmont, with 230 hectares under vine across some of the region's most prized appellations. The Cortese grapes destined for this Gavi Di Gavi are manually harvested and fermented at a precisely controlled 18°C for 20 days in stainless steel tanks — a critical step because Cortese juice oxidizes easily and requires careful handling to preserve its aromatic purity. No oak is used at any stage; the wine ages entirely in stainless steel, keeping the focus squarely on fruit freshness and mineral character.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Lemon and lime rind arrive first, followed by green apple and a thread of honeysuckle. Beneath the citrus sits a subtle jasmine note that adds floral lift without dominating the nose.

Taste: The entry is bright and bone-dry, with crunchy acidity that carries mixed citrus and white peach across the mid-palate. Crushed stone and wet mineral notes build toward the peak, balanced by restrained tropical hints of pineapple that add dimension without sweetness.

Finish: Medium in length with a stony, saline quality that draws you back for another sip. Lean mineral notes linger alongside a mouthwatering saltiness that defines classic Gavi.

How to Drink Bersano Gavi

Serve chilled to around 8–10°C for the fullest expression of its minerality and citrus character. This is a white wine built for the table, though it drinks beautifully on its own as an aperitivo. It works in a Spritz as a Prosecco alternative, contributing more structure and mineral depth. Try it in a White Wine Sangria with stone fruit and fresh herbs, where the Cortese's natural acidity keeps the drink lively. It also shines in a Hugo Cocktail variation, where its floral undertones complement elderflower liqueur naturally.

Best For

• Pairing with a fresh seafood dinner — especially shellfish, raw oysters, or grilled branzino
• Introducing someone to Italian white wine beyond Pinot Grigio
• Warm-weather entertaining where a crisp, food-friendly white is essential
• Building a Piedmont-focused wine collection alongside Barolo and Barbera

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Bersano Gavi taste like? Bersano Gavi Di Gavi is bone-dry and crisp, with dominant flavors of lemon, lime, green apple, and white peach layered over a pronounced wet-stone minerality. A touch of salinity on the finish gives it a mouthwatering, refreshing quality.

How does Bersano Gavi compare to white Burgundy? Gavi has been likened to white Burgundy, but Gavi remains a more delicate wine — where Burgundy offers richer, rounder fruit and oak influence, Bersano Gavi leans into lean minerality, higher-toned citrus, and zero oak contact for a lighter, more refreshing profile.

Is Bersano Gavi good for sipping on its own? Absolutely — its bright acidity, floral aromatics, and mineral depth make it a satisfying standalone sipper, especially when served well-chilled during warmer months.

Where is Bersano Gavi made? Bersano Gavi Di Gavi is produced by Bersano, whose 230-hectare estate is the largest in Piedmont, northwestern Italy. The wine comes from vineyards within the Gavi DOCG, a designation reserved exclusively for wines made from the Cortese grape in the southern hills of Piedmont near the town of Gavi.

What foods pair well with Bersano Gavi? Raw oysters and clams, where the wine's salinity mirrors the brininess of the shellfish. Grilled white fish like branzino or sole, which complement rather than compete with the delicate Cortese. Light risottos, particularly with lemon or asparagus. Pesto-dressed pasta — the herbal, flinty character of the wine echoes fresh basil. Soft, fresh cheeses like burrata or mozzarella di bufala.

What sizes does Bersano Gavi come in? Bersano Gavi Di Gavi is widely available in the standard 750ml bottle format.

Is Bersano Gavi worth the price? Bersano Gavi Di Gavi positions as an accessible, mid-range Italian white that consistently punches above its weight — a 95-point Luca Maroni score and an 88-point Wine-Searcher average across 21 reviews place it among the stronger values within the Gavi DOCG category.

Why Bersano Gavi?

What separates this wine from the broader Gavi field is the precision of Bersano's temperature-controlled fermentation at exactly 18°C — a detail that matters enormously with a grape as oxidation-prone as Cortese. The result is a Gavi that captures the full mineral and citrus spectrum of the variety without any of the bitterness or flatness that can plague lesser examples. Backed by a 95/100 Luca Maroni score for the 2023 vintage and produced by Piedmont's largest estate holder, this is a thoroughly reliable, food-friendly white that represents the Gavi DOCG at a high level without demanding a premium price.