La Giustiniana "Lugarara" Gavi

Elegant, refreshing and unmistakably Piedmontese.
La Giustiniana Lugarara is a beautifully expressive Gavi DOCG from the hills of Rovereto di Gavi in southeastern Piedmont, where the Cortese grape has found one of its most distinctive homes. Fresh, elegant and effortlessly drinkable, it is the classic Gavi of Tenuta La Giustiniana — a wine that combines the delicacy of a northern Italian white with enough texture and persistence to make it far more interesting than its easy-drinking character might initially suggest.

The estate's vineyards sit between 300 and 500 metres above sea level, in a landscape influenced by the gentle winds coming from nearby Liguria. This meeting of Piedmont and the Ligurian coast is one of the secrets behind Gavi's character: warm enough for the Cortese grapes to ripen beautifully, yet fresh enough to retain the lively acidity that makes the finished wine so refreshing. The Lugarara vineyards themselves are planted on Pliocene grey marls and loose sandstone, soils that contribute both freshness and a subtle mineral character.

Made from 100% Cortese, the wine is gently pressed and fermented under temperature control before spending at least three months on its fine lees. This additional time gives the wine a little more texture and persistence while preserving the clean, fruity character that defines classic Gavi. On the palate, fresh fruit leads into the characteristic delicate almond finish associated with the variety.

For wine lovers in Ireland, La Giustiniana Lugarara is an excellent alternative to the more familiar Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Grigio. It's particularly compelling with seafood, shellfish and lighter dishes, but its combination of freshness, fruit and subtle almond character makes it versatile enough for everything from a relaxed aperitif to a proper Italian dinner.

Why we love it:
This is Gavi doing exactly what it should: fresh, elegant, quietly complex and incredibly food-friendly. La Giustiniana's Lugarara has enough fruit to make it immediately approachable, but the mineral freshness and characteristic almond finish give it a distinctly Piedmontese personality. A beautiful bottle when you want something refined without being overly serious.