Villa Sparina, Gavi Di Gavi, 2025
Villa Sparina, Gavi Di Gavi, 2025
- 75cl
- 12.5%
- White Still
- Cortese
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Optimal drinking window: 2026 - 2032
The Gavi di Gavi DOCG was first produced in 1974 and is closely tied with the historic identity of Villa Sparina. Made from 100% Cortese, from vines averaging over 30 years old, the wine displays a unique expression the terroir in its purity and focus. With honeysuckle and yellow pears on the nose and a steely minerality on the palate, it is easily comparable to a Chablis (on a vespa).
The Villa Sparina family estate can be found in Monterotondo, in the Gavi DOCG district of Piedmont. Overseen by the Moccagatta family since the 1970s, Villa Sparina specialise in the production of local grape varieties Cortese and Barbera with over 70% of their 100 hectares dedicated to these grapes. The striking amphora-shaped bottle was inspired by an ancient Roman relic excavated from the property during a period of restoration. It has become a symbol for the estate: “elegant but strong, modern but with an ancient touch”.
"Expect nothing less than class and precision from Villa Sparina. Purity and focus here with a light fresh touch. However the concentration also shines through in the long finish. There is a beautiful balance of soft stone fruit and yellow citrus. A floral essence provides further complexity. Perfect aperitif or pair with shellfish and crustacea."
Our note
This 2025 vintage is currently showing its primary fruit character with bright pears and citrus dominating the palate. Over the next 12-18 months, we expect the honeysuckle notes to integrate more fully whilst the mineral backbone becomes more pronounced. By 2027-2028, the wine will reach its peak drinking window with perfect balance between fruit and minerality. After 2032, the fresh fruit will begin to fade, though the mineral structure will maintain interest for another year or two. Unlike age-worthy whites, Gavi di Gavi is best enjoyed for its youthful precision rather than developed complexity.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale straw yellow with green reflections and brilliant clarity.
NoseHoneysuckle and white flowers lead, followed by yellow pears and a subtle almond blossom character. There's a mineral thread running through everything, like wet limestone after rain. Fresh citrus zest adds brightness without overwhelming the delicate floral core.
PalateClean and precise on entry, with yellow citrus and stone fruit balanced by that steely minerality we expect from great Gavi. The texture is light but concentrated, with enough weight to carry the flavours through the mid-palate. Bright acidity keeps everything fresh and focused, whilst subtle floral essence adds complexity without heaviness.
FinishLong and mineral-driven, with citrus persistence and a gentle saline touch that calls for another sip.
Overall impressionThis is Cortese showing its class and precision, with the purity and focus that makes Villa Sparina a benchmark producer.
Food Pairings
In Piedmont, Gavi di Gavi traditionally accompanies the region's abundant seafood dishes, despite being landlocked. Locals pair it with vitello tonnato, the famous veal with tuna sauce that requires a wine with enough acidity to cut through the richness. Raw seafood crudo, popular in nearby Liguria but enjoyed throughout Piedmont, finds perfect harmony with Gavi's mineral precision. The wine also complements farinata, the chickpea flatbread common to both regions, and fresh goat cheeses from the local hills. During truffle season, it serves as a palate cleanser between richer courses.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C in a medium-sized white wine glass to concentrate the delicate aromatics. No decanting required, but allow the wine to warm slightly in the glass to reveal its full complexity. The wine benefits from being opened just before serving to preserve its fresh, mineral character. Choose glasses with a slightly tapered rim to focus the honeyed aromatics whilst maintaining the wine's crisp, refreshing character.
Villa Sparina's vineyards sit in Monterotondo within the Gavi DOCG district, where limestone-rich soils provide the mineral backbone that defines great Gavi. The continental climate brings warm summers tempered by cool nights, allowing Cortese to retain its natural acidity whilst developing aromatic complexity. These calcareous soils, combined with the estate's elevation and exposure, create the tension between fruit purity and mineral precision that makes this wine comparable to fine Chablis. The terroir's influence shows most clearly in the wine's steely minerality and long, focused finish.
Gavi di Gavi DOCG represents the premium tier within Gavi's hierarchy, restricted to grapes grown in the commune of Gavi itself rather than the broader DOCG area. Established in 1998 as an upgrade from DOC status, the appellation demands 100% Cortese and stricter yield limits than regular Gavi. The 'di Gavi' designation signals wines from the original heartland where limestone soils and optimal exposure create Cortese's most refined expression. Compared to neighbouring Arneis from Roero or Vermentino from Liguria, Gavi di Gavi offers greater mineral precision and aging potential.
The 2025 vintage caught everyone by surprise in Piemonte. What looked like a challenging year on paper turned into something rather special, though we're still piecing together exactly how it happened. Spring arrived early with warm, dry conditions that had growers nervously checking soil moisture levels, but summer brought just enough rain at the right moments to keep the vines happy without creating disease pressure. The harvest stretched longer than usual, with patient producers able to pick at optimal ripeness rather than racing against weather.
We're tasting wines with real backbone and freshness that we frankly didn't expect after such a warm start to the season. The Nebbiolo shows particular promise – there's power here, but it's wrapped in surprising finesse rather than the brooding tannins that can make young Barolo such hard work. Barbera has turned out beautifully vibrant with lovely natural acidity, while Dolcetto offers more concentration than usual without losing its cheerful drinkability. Most of these wines want a few more years in bottle to show their best, though the Barberas and Dolcettos are drinking well already if you fancy an early peek.
FAQs
What does this Gavi di Gavi taste like?
Honeysuckle and yellow pears with a distinctive steely minerality, like Chablis with Italian sunshine. Fresh, precise, and beautifully balanced.
When should I drink this wine?
Perfect now until 2030. Gavi di Gavi is best enjoyed for its youthful freshness rather than aged complexity.
What food pairs well with this wine?
Shellfish and crustaceans are classic matches, but it also works beautifully with vitello tonnato, fresh goat cheese, or as an elegant aperitif.
How should I serve this wine?
Serve well-chilled at 8-10°C in medium-sized white wine glasses. No decanting needed, just open and pour.
Is this wine worth cellaring?
Not really. Whilst it will hold for 4-5 years, Gavi di Gavi is designed to showcase Cortese's fresh precision rather than develop complex aged flavours.
How does this compare to other Italian whites?
More mineral and precise than Pinot Grigio, more structured than Vermentino, with a purity that rivals great Soave but with distinctly Piedmontese character.
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