Villa Sparina, Gavi Di Gavi, Monterotondo, 2021
Villa Sparina, Gavi Di Gavi, Monterotondo, 2021
- White Still
- 75.0cl
- 13.0%
- Cortese
Gavi di Gavi is the appellation's inner sanctum — the Monterotondo single vineyard is Villa Sparina's argument that Cortese, so often dismissed as a simple seafood white, can actually say something specific about where it comes from. This 2021 has the cool-season freshness that makes it particularly precise: green apple, white peach, and a clean almond nuttiness, with a saline mineral quality that lingers longer than you'd expect from something this light on its feet.
Villa Sparina are one of the benchmark names in Gavi, farming their estate in the historic heart of the DOCG with real seriousness. This is drinking well right now, the fruit still lively and the acidity keeping everything taut. Pour it well-chilled alongside anything from the Ligurian coast and it will make perfect sense.
- ❖ ABV: 13.0%
Grapes
Cortese
Vintage report
The 2021 growing season in Piemonte delivered exactly the kind of drama that keeps vignerons on their toes. Spring arrived with a nasty frost in April that had producers lighting fires in their vineyards, followed by a wet period that tested everyone's nerves about disease pressure. Summer brought intense heat and drought that pushed the vines to their limits, but here's the thing about old Nebbiolo vines on those Langhe hills – they know how to dig deep when they need to.
What emerged from all this theatrical weather is a vintage of real substance and character. The Nebbiolos show remarkable concentration – think iron fist in a velvet glove rather than the more immediately charming styles of recent years. Barbera performed brilliantly, delivering wines with bright acidity that cuts through the natural richness, whilst Dolcetto offers more colour and structure than usual. We're finding these wines reward patience; the Barolos and Barbarescos want at least another two years in the cellar to show their best, though the Barberas are drinking beautifully now if you fancy a preview of what this vintage can do.
Tasting Notes
AppearancePale straw with a faint green glint, crystal clear and bright in the glass.
NoseFreshly cut green apple and white peach come first, with a subtle almond and white blossom quality underneath. There is a clean, almost chalky mineral lift that gives the nose real definition and keeps it from feeling soft or simple.
PalateLight to medium bodied with lively, mouthwatering acidity that keeps everything precise. The fruit is ripe but not generous — this is a wine of restraint, with citrus pith and green pear rather than anything tropical. A faint bitter almond note on the mid-palate is classic Cortese and a welcome sign of variety character.
FinishClean and saline, with the mineral quality carrying through to a satisfyingly dry, lingering close.
Overall impressionA serious, site-specific Gavi that makes a strong case for Cortese as more than just a label to reach for on a summer terrace.
Food Pairings
In and around Gavi, this style of white is a natural partner for the seafood that arrives from the nearby Ligurian coast — fritto misto di mare, grilled langoustines, and the region's famous trofie al pesto all work effortlessly. Locally, it is also paired with the delicate bresaola and vitello tonnato of Piemontese antipasti, where the wine's acidity cuts through the richness without overwhelming the food. A plate of fresh tajarin pasta with butter and sage is another classic match: simple, local, and entirely satisfying.
We think this wine would go well with
Serve at 8-10°C — cold enough to preserve the freshness and mineral edge, but not so icy that it shuts the wine down. No need to decant; this is a wine to pour straight from the fridge and drink without ceremony. A standard white wine glass with a moderate bowl works perfectly, keeping the aromas focused without over-aerating something this delicate.
The Monterotondo vineyard sits in the commune of Gavi at the heart of the DOCG, on soils that are predominantly calcareous clay with a significant sandy component — a combination that gives Cortese both its characteristic finesse and that distinctive mineral, almost saline quality. Altitude and aspect help retain acidity through the growing season, which in cooler years like 2021 produces wines of real precision and freshness. The result is a white that feels genuinely shaped by its ground rather than simply by its grape.
Gavi DOCG, in the southeastern corner of Piemonte, is made exclusively from Cortese — a grape that thrives on the calcareous soils here in a way it simply doesn't elsewhere. Gavi di Gavi is a stricter sub-designation, requiring the grapes to come from within the commune of Gavi itself, which is broadly accepted as the quality heartland of the appellation. The wines tend to be leaner and more mineral than Cortese grown further north, with a salinity and almond-skin character that sets them apart from other northern Italian whites.
The 2021 growing season in Piemonte delivered exactly the kind of drama that keeps vignerons on their toes. Spring arrived with a nasty frost in April that had producers lighting fires in their vineyards, followed by a wet period that tested everyone's nerves about disease pressure. Summer brought intense heat and drought that pushed the vines to their limits, but here's the thing about old Nebbiolo vines on those Langhe hills – they know how to dig deep when they need to.
What emerged from all this theatrical weather is a vintage of real substance and character. The Nebbiolos show remarkable concentration – think iron fist in a velvet glove rather than the more immediately charming styles of recent years. Barbera performed brilliantly, delivering wines with bright acidity that cuts through the natural richness, whilst Dolcetto offers more colour and structure than usual. We're finding these wines reward patience; the Barolos and Barbarescos want at least another two years in the cellar to show their best, though the Barberas are drinking beautifully now if you fancy a preview of what this vintage can do.
FAQs
What does the Monterotondo taste like?
Think green apple, white peach, and a clean almond nuttiness, with a saline, chalky mineral quality that makes it feel more precise than your average Italian white. The acidity is bright and the finish is dry — this is a wine of restraint rather than generosity.
When should I drink this wine?
Now, frankly. The 2021 is drinking very well at five years old, with its fruit still lively and its freshness intact. We would not hold it beyond 2027 — Cortese at this level is built for pleasure in youth, not for long cellaring.
What food goes well with this wine?
Anything from the Ligurian coast works brilliantly — fritto misto, grilled prawns, or simply a plate of pesto pasta. It is also very good with lighter antipasti like vitello tonnato or a fresh seafood salad. The acidity makes it a natural match for anything with a squeeze of lemon.
How should I serve it?
Serve it cold, at around 8-10°C. No need to decant — just pour it straight from the fridge into a standard white wine glass and enjoy it while it is fresh. It will open up slightly as it warms in the glass.
Is Gavi di Gavi worth the premium over regular Gavi?
In Villa Sparina's case, yes. The Monterotondo designation indicates grapes from the commune of Gavi itself, which is the quality heartland of the appellation. The wines have a more defined mineral quality and greater precision than many broader Gavi bottlings — and Villa Sparina are among the producers who make the distinction genuinely meaningful.
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