2022 Castellari Bergaglio Gavi di Tassarolo DOCG Fornaci, Piedmont

Castellari Bergaglio Gavi di Tassarolo DOCG Fornaci is a bright, mineral-driven white wine that captures the finesse and purity of Cortese grown in the hills of southeastern Piedmont. The Fornaci vineyard, located in the commune of Tassarolo just outside the Gavi heartland, sits on clay-limestone soils that give this wine its hallmark precision, tension and chalky texture.

Cortese, the variety behind Gavi, thrives in this cooler pocket of Piedmont thanks to the maritime breezes that flow up from the Ligurian coast. At Castellari Bergaglio, the fruit is harvested early to preserve acidity, fermented in stainless steel and aged briefly on fine lees to enhance structure without losing freshness. The Fornaci bottling is always a little more focused and refined than the broader Gavi DOCG wines, offering something a bit more serious while retaining drinkability.

On the nose, it shows citrus blossom, green pear, almond skin, white peach and crushed stone. The palate is dry and linear, with crisp lemon and apple flavours, subtle salinity, and a fine mineral thread running through to a clean, lingering finish. There’s no oak, just pure Cortese expression with clarity and lift.

Food pairing: perfect with delicate seafood like grilled prawns or calamari, fish crudo, caprese salad, pesto pasta, or soft cheeses like robiola. Also excellent with sushi, fried zucchini flowers, or a simple lemon chicken.

Cellar potential: best enjoyed in its first 3 to 5 years to capture its freshness and vibrant texture, though it can gain subtle nutty complexity with short-term ageing.