La Scolca Gavi Di Gavi

La Scolca Gavi Di Gavi is a dry Italian white wine made from 100% Cortese grapes in Piedmont, bottled at 12% ABV in a standard 750ml format. Rated 90 points by both James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast, this expression has long served as the benchmark for the Gavi di Gavi DOCG appellation.

Quick Facts: ABV: 12%  |  Origin: Rovereto Superiore di Gavi, Piedmont, Italy  |  DOCG White Wine  |  Winery: La Scolca

Production & Heritage

La Scolca, based in the Rovereto Superiore di Gavi sub-zone of Piedmont, was among the first wineries in Italy to adopt stainless steel tanks for fermentation — a move that fundamentally shaped the modern expression of Cortese. Their Gavi di Gavi undergoes cold vinification, a technique the estate credits with preserving 100% of the aromatic precursors from pressing through fermentation. Temperature-controlled steel tank aging keeps the wine's fruit character and minerality sharply defined, without any oak influence muddying the varietal signature.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Citrus blossom and almond open the nose, followed by sliced apple, fresh pear, and a thread of lemon zest. There is an understated orchard-fruit quality that becomes more expressive as the wine opens in the glass.

Taste: The entry is bright and bone-dry, with crisp acidity carrying flavors of green apple and melon across the palate. At mid-palate, a creamy texture emerges that balances the wine's pronounced acidulous character, while flinty minerality adds structure and depth through the peak.

Finish: The finish is clean and refreshing, landing at medium length with a distinctive hazelnut-like quality. Lingering mineral notes keep the palate engaged and invite another sip.

How to Drink Gavi Di Gavi

Serve chilled between 8–10°C (46–50°F) to allow the full aromatic range to develop without suppressing the wine's minerality. Gavi di Gavi is best enjoyed on its own as an aperitivo or alongside food.

• Spritz variation: Use as the wine base in an Italian white wine spritz — the dry, mineral profile stands up to soda and a citrus garnish far better than sweeter alternatives.
• Classic pairing pour: Serve alongside a seafood-focused antipasto spread where the wine's acidity can cut through oil and brine.
• Summer carafe wine: Its bright, unfussy character makes it ideal poured generously at an outdoor table without requiring analytical attention.

Best For

• Introducing someone to high-quality Italian white wines beyond Pinot Grigio
• Pairing with a multi-course seafood dinner
• Gifting to a Piedmont wine enthusiast exploring the region's whites
• Stocking a home bar with a versatile, food-friendly dry white

Frequently Asked Questions

What does Gavi Di Gavi taste like? La Scolca's Gavi Di Gavi is bone-dry with bright citrus, green apple, and melon flavors underscored by flinty minerality and a subtle hazelnut-like finish. The texture is creamy yet light-bodied, with pronounced but balanced acidity.

How does Gavi Di Gavi compare to Soave? Both are dry Italian whites, but Gavi Di Gavi from Cortese grapes tends to show sharper acidity and a more mineral-driven profile, while Soave (made primarily from Garganega) often leans toward rounder stone-fruit character and softer texture. La Scolca's steel-tank approach amplifies this contrast with particular clarity.

Is Gavi Di Gavi good for beginners? Its approachable 12% ABV, clean fruit flavors, and refreshing acidity make it an excellent entry point for anyone exploring Italian white wines beyond the familiar Pinot Grigio category.

Where is Gavi Di Gavi made? La Scolca produces this wine in Rovereto Superiore di Gavi, a prized sub-zone within the Gavi DOCG appellation in southeastern Piedmont, Italy. The estate's vineyards sit in the hills where Cortese grapes have been cultivated for centuries.

What foods pair well with Gavi Di Gavi? Grilled branzino or sea bass, where the wine's acidity mirrors the fish's delicate flavor. Fresh pesto pasta, particularly trenette al pesto, which echoes the wine's herbal undertones. Raw oysters, whose brine is lifted by the flinty minerality. Fried calamari, where bright acidity cuts through the oil. Aged Parmigiano-Reggiano, whose nutty depth connects with the wine's hazelnut finish.

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

Is Gavi Di Gavi worth the price? La Scolca's Gavi Di Gavi positions as a mid-range Italian white that consistently earns 90-point scores from major critics — placing it firmly in value-for-quality territory among DOCG-certified Piedmontese wines.

Why Gavi Di Gavi?

La Scolca's pioneering use of stainless steel fermentation and cold vinification essentially defined what modern Gavi di Gavi tastes like — and this bottling remains the reference point for the appellation. The winery's commitment to preserving every aromatic compound from pressing through fermentation results in a Cortese expression of unusual precision and purity. Dual 90-point ratings from James Suckling and Wine Enthusiast confirm that the wine delivers year after year. For anyone serious about Italian whites, this is not just a bottle of Gavi — it is the standard against which the category is measured.