2024 Pio Cesare Gavi DOCG, Piedmont

From the rolling hills around the town of Gavi in southern Piedmont, Pio Cesare Gavi DOCG offers a beautifully poised expression of Cortese shaped by limestone rich soils and a cooler microclimate. The Pio Cesare family, established in 1881, brings the same attention to detail and balance here as they do with their reds, crafting a wine that highlights freshness, texture and quiet complexity rather than simple refreshment.

A pale straw colour with bright green reflections shimmers in the glass. Aromas open with lemon zest, green apple and white peach layered with almond blossom, citrus peel and a gentle mineral note. There is a clean, lifted clarity to the bouquet that feels both inviting and refined.

The palate is dry and finely structured, delivering citrus and orchard fruit flavours framed by crisp acidity and a subtle chalky line. Notes of pear skin, saline freshness and a faint nutty nuance build through the mid palate, leading to a long, refreshing finish that feels both precise and easy going. Best enjoyed in its youth over the next three to five years while its brightness and balance are at their peak.

Crispy fried calamari with lemon, delicate seafood crudo dressed with olive oil, or a plate of zucchini flowers with herbs and ricotta passed around casually. A spin of Vivaldi The Four Seasons or something light and playful from Rossini, the wine bringing a sense of brightness, movement and effortless Italian charm.