Kim Uncorked: Welcome to my weekly wine recommendation.
Hi, I’m Kim, a passionate lover of wine, food, and any experience that brings the two together! In this weekly blog post, I share my thoughts on a wine that I’ve recently purchased from one of our local independent wine merchants. If you’d like to know more about me, I’ve included a brief bio following the post.
2023 Giordano Lobardo Gavi di Gavi
Gavi DOCG, Italy
Liberty Wine Merchants
$34.99
Various locations
This week we’re heading to Piedmont to discover Cortese, the grape behind Gavi, and a wine that shows just how compelling this often-overlooked appellation can be. From the biodynamically farmed estate of Giordano Lombardo, located outside the medieval village of Gavi, the wine offers a pure expression of Cortese—bone-dry, vibrant in acidity and infused with a distinct touch of saline minerality.
Giordano Lombardo farms 20 hectares organically and biodynamically, with vineyards surrounded by dense woodland that helps create a diverse ecosystem that attracts birds and beneficial insects. Grapes are typically whole-cluster pressed with a short skin maceration before being aged on their lees in stainless steel or neutral barrels. To preserve the natural character, texture, and aromas of the Cortese grape, wines are bottled unfined and unfiltered.
The 2023 Giordano Lombardo Gavi shows a pale straw colour with a slight greenish hue. Aromas of lemon, lime, and green apple lift from the glass alongside wet stone and a delicate herbal note. The palate is lean and energetic, driven by mouthwatering acidity and a subtle lees-derived texture. Zesty citrus flavours lead into a distinctly saline, chalky finish, with hints of blanched almond adding further complexity. Bone-dry, refreshing and focused, it’s a Gavi that makes you reach for another glass.
The wine makes an ideal aperitif and a natural partner for fresh seafood, pesto, grilled fish or simply sipping on a sunny afternoon.
Kim Mead is a Vancouver-based wine and food writer. She holds the WSET Level 3 Award in Wines with Merit, the French Wine Scholar designation with Honours, the Bordeaux Masters designation with Honours, and the Italian Wine Essentials certification. Kim serves as Cellar Master for the Vancouver chapter of the International Wine and Food Society and is a member of the Commanderie de Bordeaux. Follow her @agalandaglass