2015 La Ghibellina Gavi ‘Manin’

Price: $21
Region: Piedmont < Italy 
Grapes: Cortese
Vineyard/Cellar Stats: certified organic, limestone rich clay soils, fermented and aged in stainless steel, lees stirred for 4 months
Winemaker: Beppe Caviola

This small estate in Piedmont is new to the winemaking scene in an area that is home to some of the oldest and most historically significant wines in Italy. But rather than hang their hat on the lucrative Nebbiolo of the region, they are making their mark with a local white grape, Cortese. Alberto and Marina Ghibellini founded their winery in 2000 and brought on the significantly talented oenologist Beppe Caviola to help with the wines. Clean and crisp with an intense, rocky minerality, this is a perfect white to cut through the season’s richness. Makes a great follow-up to sparkling in the holiday lineup, or as an aperitivo to kick off the evening.