| The Piedmont region of northwestern Italy is | | | | meal was a chicken leg baked in a soy, garlic, and |
| very well known for red wine, such as Barolo that | | | | black pepper sauce with potatoes and onions. |
| is often considered Italy's finest wine. Today's | | | | There was a side of green beans in tomato sauce |
| wine is 100% Cortese, a white grape from part | | | | and another side of okra in a similar sauce that |
| of the Piedmont situated fairly close to the | | | | contained ginger. The wine enveloped the chicken |
| Mediterranean. It was considered to be one of | | | | and had no trouble cutting the grease. It was |
| Italy's finest white wine way back in the 1970s. | | | | delicate but it was definitely present. The okra's |
| Gavi holds Italy's finest wine designation, DOCG, | | | | ginger made it stronger. |
| where the G stands for guaranteed. But this | | | | The second meal started with Matjes herring. The |
| designation is no guarantee. Let's be frank. You | | | | Gavi was round with a touch of sweetness. With |
| probably won't get one of Italy's best whites, and | | | | the omelet the wine was almost unctuous, and |
| organic to boot, at this relatively modest price. | | | | light but pleasant. But when paired with roasted, |
| But we can't be sure until we taste it. | | | | unskinned eggplant containing lots of oil and garlic, |
| Before reviewing this wine I want to mention a | | | | the wine was overwhelmed. It fought back by |
| policy change. Starting now I will usually taste two | | | | presenting notes of gooseberry. I finished the |
| wines with the same meals and cheese. One will | | | | meal with a high-quality French style lemon pie |
| be a $10 wine and the other will cost more, | | | | with a buttery crust. The Gavi was fleeting and |
| perhaps a lot more. My wine cabinet is brimming | | | | yet long. |
| and this is the only way that I can manage to | | | | The final meal was a vegetarian box called baked |
| taste and review so many wines that interest me | | | | ziti siciliano containing eggplant and mozzarella |
| and hopefully you as well. | | | | cheese. I slathered on lots grated Parmesan |
| OUR WINE REVIEW POLICY All wines that we | | | | cheese. The wine was feathery and yet crisp but |
| taste and review are purchased at the full retail | | | | didn't give a lot of flavor. If you like subtle wines |
| price. | | | | you'll go for this one. I finished the meal with slices |
| Wine Reviewed La Raia Gavi DOCG 2007 12.8% | | | | of fresh pineapple; perhaps surprisingly the wine |
| alcohol about $17 | | | | picked up strength and was round. As usual, I |
| Let's start by quoting the marketing materials. | | | | tasted this wine with two cheeses; a marbled |
| Description: La Raia has been certified organic | | | | Cheddar and a sheep's milk Feta. The cheddar let |
| since 2005 and certified biodynamic as of the | | | | the Gavi present its nuanced layers; the cheese |
| 2007 vintage. It is one of only 23 wineries or | | | | served well as a foil. With the Feta the wine had a |
| vineyards in Italy that have obtained this | | | | fine, fine length. I'm not used to such good wine |
| certification. Their eco-friendly techniques result in | | | | and cheese pairings. |
| a Gavi that is crisp and fresh with flavors that | | | | Final verdict. I'm on the borderline between never |
| hold a strong connection to the land. Enjoy as an | | | | again, and I'll put this on my purchase again list. I |
| aperitif or with lighter seafood dishes. Our Quality | | | | guess that's because I'm not committed to |
| Assurance Laboratory has determined that this | | | | organic wine and for me cheese pairings are quite |
| wine contains 21 mg/L of free sulphur. And now | | | | secondary. I'm going to go out on a limb and |
| for my review. | | | | guess that a better producer would have made a |
| With the first sips the wine was slightly sweet | | | | fine wine. But then you would have to pay more. |
| and quite long. It was almost feathery. The first | | | | |