The 2024 season for the Great White of Piedmont is shaping up to be one of the most complex in recent years, according to an initial assessment shared by the Consorzio Tutela del Gavi. However, thanks to the remarkable adaptability of the Cortese grape variety to climate change, the prospects for quality remain positive.
The harvest of Cortese in the Gavi DOCG area began in the third week of September, slightly later than last year.
The Gavi DOCG harvest is well underway and started a little later than normal
“The season was characterised by high temperatures, though they weren’t prolonged, and abundant spring rainfall, which required extensive work in the vineyards,” explains Davide Ferrarese, agronomist for the Consorzio. “Despite the unstable spring, a warm and sunny summer, combined with the dedicated effort of the growers, ensured the grapes remained healthy. Harvesting operations are still underway, though rains have posed challenges, leading to brief interruptions in the picking.”
In recent years, the Cortese grape has proven to be incredibly resilient and adaptable to climate change. Ongoing work in the vineyard has helped maintain grape quality.
“Managing the vineyard and determining the right time for the harvest have become more challenging than ever. High temperatures and irregular water supply impact both the yield and quality of the grapes, making constant monitoring and more refined techniques essential,” he adds.
From a commercial perspective, just before the harvest, the Consorzio released updated sales figures for Gavi DOCG in both domestic and international markets.
- In 2023, over 14 million bottles were produced, with an impressive 92% destined for export.
- Distribution is evenly split between large-scale retail (52%) and the HoReCa sector (48%), covering the entire production.
- The leading markets include the United Kingdom (62%), the United States (13%), Germany (6%) and Russia (4%), with smaller shares going to Japan, Ireland, Malta, the Netherlands, Canada, the UAE and others, reaching over 100 countries worldwide.
- In Italy, around 1 million bottles were sold, representing 8% of the total production.
“The international success of Gavi DOCG continues to elevate this historic Piedmontese denomination, renowned for its exceptional quality,” says Maurizio Montobbio, president of the Consorzio. “Thanks to its unique terroir and excellent viticulture, Gavi DOCG has become a globally recognised and iconic wine. And there’s still room to grow.”
Since 1993, the Consorzio Tutela del Gavi has united 190 winemaking companies to protect and enhance the Gavi Docg denomination. Passion, commitment and quality are enclosed in the 13 million bottles exported to over 100 countries around the world.
Gavi vineyards stretch for 1,600 hectares in south-east Piedmont, in the province of Alessandria: from the foot of the Po Valley, towards the Piedmontese Apennines, 30 km from the sea.
Red clays, white soils and a central strip featuring alternating layers of marl and sandstone are the three different types of soil present in the 11 municipalities of the denomination. It has 11 separate municipalities in the province of Alessandria with around 500 families involved in making Gavi DOCG wine.
Its wines are 100% produced from Cortese, a native Piedmontese white grape, Gavi DOCG is a fresh and elegant and, thanks to its versatile and sophisticated nature, Gavi DOCG is known worldwide as the great white wine from Piedmont.
* If you want to find out more about Gavi DOCG go to the Consorzio's website here.
