Fontanafredda Gavi di Gavi 2019 (Piedmont) - Wine Review

Tonight's wine review is this lovely white wine from Italy made with the Cortese grape that arrives at the LCBO this weekend as part of the May 29 LCBO VINTAGES Release.

The historic Fontanafredda was established in 1858 when Vittoria Emanuele purchased the estate as a gift for "La Bella Rosalina", the woman he loved. In 1866, Fontanafredda purchased their first Barolo vineyard and produced their first wines in 1870. The estate achieved great success and expanded its production and sales over the years, only to be devastated by phylloxera in 1931, and then sold to a bank.

During the 1950's, after the Second World War, Cavalier Giuseppe Bressano led the development of the brand's reputation and image of producing high quality wines. Many of Fontanafredda's "firsts" are related to Barolo, but in 2006 it became an "olympic wine" at the Olympic Winter Games in Turin. It was around this time when the pursuit and awareness of sustainability in wine was growing. In 2008, Fontanafredda returned to Piedmontese ownership and in 2015 they began the process to convert all of the estate's vineyards to organic farming techniques.

Even though Cortese grape is used to make this white wine, the wine is more commonly known as "Gavi di Gavi" because the grapes are grown within the commune of Gavi, Piedmont, in northwestern Italy, just southeast of Turin. Cortese grapes have been cultivated in Gavi since at least the 17th century. The grapes for this Gavi di Gavi were organically cultivated in Rovereto (an historic sub-zone of Gavi) and its surrounding area on hillside vineyards between 200 and 300 metres above sea level and on sandy soils with a high content of arenaceous marl. It is interesting to note that while most of this wine was fermented in stainless steels tanks, 15% was fermented in barriques. Let's see how this delicious white wine is tasting tonight...

Tasting Note:

FONTANAFREDDA GAVI DI GAVI 2019 - DOCG, Piedmont, Italy (#366948) (XD) - $21.95
100% Cortese. The medium-high intensity aromas offers a lovely and intriguing nose of floral, wet straw, waxy, and mealy notes surrounding a core of pear and apple. The dry, mid-weighted palate has a slightly creamy texture and delivers more pear, apple, floral, waxy, and mealy flavours that are supported by fresh, well-balanced acidity. Hints of leesy-yeasty minerals and peach join the apple and floral notes on the slightly chalky textured finish, with very good length. Recommended buy. Score: 90 pts

Other lovely wines by Fontanafredda can be found at the LCBO, as well as through their Agent - Dandurand.