This week’s wine of the week, Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi, is ideal for enjoying with friends.
Let’s talk about the phrase “crowd pleaser.” It’s often used to refer to a wine that won’t offend, but won’t delight anyone either. Normally these are relatively inexpensive wines – under 15 or 20 dollars – that simply serve the purpose of keeping glasses topped up, helping the party to become increasingly tipsy.
That’s fine, but we can aspire to more.
What if a wine really can please a crowd, not just satisfy it? Villa Sparina Gavi di Gavi has all the potential to do that. It’s zippy and refreshing – perfect for enjoying in the Miami sun. It’s got lovely concentration of citrus fruits to please any palate, but also some chalky minerality to make things interesting. And it looks good in its unusual oval bottle, which was inspired by an old bottle discovered in the winery’s ancient cellar. (Tip: Once you’re finished, strip off the labels and use the bottle for water.)
Imagine if Italy did Chablis (adding a little Italian flair), cut the price in half, and put it in a prettier bottle. That’s roughly where we are here. And at $17, it’s a wallet-pleaser, too.
Widely available in stores such as 305wines.com (one of our featured Miami wine stores), where it’s sold for $16.99. Look out for the distinctive bottle shape. The rose is delicate and “pour me another glass”, too.
Sarah is a freelance wine educator, writer and events host, based in South Beach. She holds the WSET Diploma in Wine & Spirits and is a current Master of Wine student.
