Today I bring you a white wine from the Gavi DOCG where some of Piedmont’s noblest whites are made. And fittingly, Enrico Serafino’s “Grifo del Quartaro” is named after an antique coin used by aristocratic Genovese Lords (the city of Genoa is not far from the town of Gavi) who were landowners of the Gavi area.

The magnificent Vineyard Views of the Gavi DOCG. Photo: @EnricoSerafino1878 on Instagram. — **The magnificent Vineyard Views of the Gavi DOCG.** *Photo: @EnricoSerafino1878 on Instagram.*

A Gorgeous Rendition

Produced from native Cortese grapes, Enrico Serafino’s Gavi di Gavi (both the wine and the town are named Gavi) brims with scents of lime zest, apple, peach, white flowers and almonds. The dry palate offers a supple and rich texture, along with lemony, mouthwatering acidity and a flintiness that reflects the mineral-rich soils the grapes are grown in. True to form, the wine finishes with an enticing nuttiness that Gavi wines are known for.

Food Pairing

This is a wine to have with seafood; the zesty acidity is like a squirt of fresh lemon juice over the fish. Try it with Cod with Clams and Butter Beans, Sweet and Spicy Salmon, or as in the above photo, tuna crudo.

An Old Winery That’s New Again

Enrico Serafino is located in the prestigious Roero region of Piedmont, a UNESCO World Heritage site recognized for its stunning scenery and world class winemaking. Founded in 1878 by Enrico Serafino, a 24-year old pasta maker whose dream was to make fine wines, the winery remained in the family for over 110 years.

The winery went through a rough patch in the 1990s and early 2000s during a period of ownership by huge corporations that didn’t make the Piedmont property a priority and, consequently, the wines suffered. But in 2015, Enrico Serafino began its turnaround when it was purchased by Italian-American business magnate Kyle Krause, of Iowa, who had long dreamed of owning a winery in Italy.

In an article by my colleague Dorothy Gaiter on Grape Collective, Krause states that his intention is to “put our family into this brand and give it the love and attention it deserves.” And since purchasing the property, Krause has indeed been upgrading the vineyard sites and the cellar with a focus on sustainable farming and cellar practices.

The Charm of Gavi. Photo: @Enrico Serafino1878 on Instagram — **The Charm of Gavi.** *Photo: @Enrico Serafino1878 on Instagram*

The immense care and attention being devoted to this historic artisan winery is obvious when tasting the wines. I sampled a few other Enrico Serafino wines, including a sparkling Alta Langa Brut Oudeis 2016, Picotener Langhe Nebbiolo 2018, and Monclivio Barolo 2015, and I was impressed. Stay tuned for more on those beauties!

Find the “Grifo del Quartaro” Gavi, as well as all Enrico Serafino wines, on wine-searcher.com or at your local restaurants.

Saluti! Cheers!