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Winner Details

North-West - White
(including Gavi)

North-west Italy is developing into a really intriguing part of this competition. It used to be all about Gavi – fresh, cheap and simple Gavi, for the most part. But it’s becoming much more than that now.

For starters, within Gavi itself we’re seeing a broader range of styles, with richer, more textural versions appearing alongside the light and fresh wines. It led to some vigorous debate among our tasters as to which was better, so search the medal-winners for examples of each.

But we saw a wide variety of other interesting white styles from this north-west corner as well: Roero Arneis, Luganas, Chardonnays, Pinot Biancos. All of them, though, seemed to have an appealing lift and freshness that our judges really enjoyed.

From The Tasting Teams

‘There were some really good wines here. It’s not the kind of region we often see on lists – usually more sparkling or red – so it’s good to see emerging quality.’ Lionel Periner, team leader

‘These Gavis showed the typicity of the region, with some stylistic differences. Some had lovely minerality, weight and viscosity.’ Andres Ituarte, team leader

‘Great winemaking, great juice, fair pricing. The north-west whites were fantastic food wines, with savoury salinity, and acidity. They would be great with seafood.’ Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting

‘A lot of people are eating lighter foods like veg and salads, and these wines work really well with that. They cleanse and refresh.’ Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine

‘The most aromatic wines were the group favourite, people tended to really like those.’ James Fryer, team leader

‘I would expect floral notes and citrus fruit, that classic mineral Gavi. You shouldn’t over-engineer it. Stick to typicity and an easy-going, refreshing style and you’re good.’ Savvas Symeonidis, Goodman Restaurant Mayfair

‘These north-west whites are something you have to have on a list; they are unmissable.’ Rémi Cousin, Le Gavroche

‘The entry level here was just what Gavi should be: fresh. It made for a good flight.’ Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C

Award winners

Found 28 wines

Italy: North-west, White including Gavi

Fontanafredda, Gavi di Gavi 2019, Piedmont, Italy

'A classic style, with floral and yellow fruit notes, and a palate that's rich and balanced.' Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C. 'Apple blossom notes, with green pears and some fresh lemon, leading to stony mineral notes with some ginger spice, and a long finish.' Tom Forrest, team leader. 'Pear skin and apple sauce, along with a bit of spice, with good weight, zippy acids and a long finish.' Andres Ituarte, team leader.

£14.58 Enotria&Coe

Cantine Scolari, Lugana Premium 2018, Lombardy, Italy

'This has delicate pear and yellow flower aromas, and a creamy texture with refreshing acidity and good balance.' Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana Restaurant London. 'A structured wine with good balance of fruit and acidity.' Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa. 'Rounded, fruity and full of character and flavour - one to enjoy by the glass, with food.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader.

£10.48 CANTINE SCOLARI SRL

Dezzani, Roero Arneis 2019, Piedmont, Italy

'Fresh pineapple and acacia aromas, with peach and ripe yellow pears, and a delicate creamy texture with a fresh finish.' Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana Restaurant London. 'A fresh, vibrant wine with tinned peach and apricot notes, and some lovely minerality. Good for a brasserie by the glass.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader.

£9.30 Eurowines

La Toledana, Gavi di Gavi 2018, Piedmont, Italy

'This has pear blossom and some spice, like ginger, leading to an apricot and lemon freshness on the finish.' Tom Forrest, team leader. 'Notes of green apple and lime, with hints of cream and a nutty, chalky mineral feel.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting. 'Complex, elegant and balanced.' Raphael Thierry, consultant.

£12.93 Matthew Clark

Vite Colte, Masseria dei Carmelitani, Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2019, Piedmont, Italy

'The nose shows a pronounced minerality, with some stone fruits and white pepper, and a very mineral after taste. Stunning quality for the price - a good deal for a Michelin-starred restaurant.' Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C. 'Very tasty and food-friendly, with citrus, apple and star fruits, and some chalky complexity.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£11.25 VinumTerra

La Bioca, Bissia Langhe, Chardonnay 2017, Piedmont, Italy

'There's definite oak usage, but with richer stone fruit flavours to back it up, along with some lovely sweet peach notes.' James Fryer, team leader. 'This opens with an intense aromatic complexity, with quince marmalade, a delicate oaky vanilla, some acacia, nuttiness and a touch of ginger spice, with apricot flavours dominating the finish.' Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana Restaurant London.

£18.40 Jeroboams

Cantina Bottenago, Pinot Bianco, Garda 2018, Lombardy, Italy

'Fresh yet with an unctuous texture, this is dry and fragrant on the nose, with a touch of herbs and vanilla, as well as pineapple and crushed stones.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader. 'Elegant citrus and pretty floral notes lead to a refreshing palate that's well-balanced, with reasonable length.' Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club.

£9.95 CANTINA BOTTENAGO - SOC. AGR. ERIAN SRL

Michele Chiarlo, Rovereto, Gavi del Commune di Gavi 2018, Piedmont, Italy

'Key lime pie with some delicate mineral notes at first, and light baking spices in the background. Elegant and feminine, with a long jasmine flower finish.' Andres Ituarte, team leader. 'A tasty, honest wine that's bright, clean and fresh with lemon and lime fruits and chalky mineral aspect.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£16.53 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Ancilla Lugana, Ancilla 2016, Lombardy, Italy

'Quite a complex and interesting wine, with some developing flavours and fresh fruit. Very well-made.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting. 'A creamy, elegant wine with mellow white peach notes and some crisp acidity.' Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine. 'A great wine that can age, but with nice acidity and good balance.' Lionel Periner, team leader.

£19.38 Hallgarten & Novum Wines

Vietti, Roero Arneis 2018, Piedmont, Italy

'The minerality is key here, bringing a spicy mineral tension to the fresh pear, lemon zest and green apple notes.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader. 'This opens with bright lemon notes and some chalky minerals, with good intensity. It would be tasty with seafood.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£16.55 Bibendum

La Colombera, Derthona, Timorasso 2018, Piedmont, Italy

'Warm stone fruit and custard notes lead to a mellow palate of baked fruits.' Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club. 'Tasty and bright, with some ripe lemon and chalk notes, all making this a good option to accompany goats' cheese.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£8.82 Eurowines

Pelassa, San Vito, Roero Arneis 2018, Piedmont, Italy

'A floral wine with some ripe peach and nectarine fruit, and a more tropical, pineapple finish that's zesty and fresh. One for grilled mackerel.' Nigel Lister, St. Swithins Wine Shippers. 'There's fruit and orange blossom on the nose here, with Granny Smith apple on the palate, and some mineral notes too. Good fruit and finish.' Michael Driscoll, Careys Manor Hotel & SenSpa.

£10.67 Davy's Wine Merchants

Nunzio Ghiraldi, Sant'Onorata 1953, Lugana 2017, Lombardy, Italy

'An enticing nose of stone fruit and creamy toastiness leading to a mouth-filling palate that's balanced and lasts well in the mouth.' Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club. 'There's lots going on here, with some development showing, along with some barrel notes as well.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting.

£15.78 Wine Traders

Lunae Bosoni , Etichetta Grigia 2019, Liguria, Italy

'A spring wine, with tropical passion-fruit notes, pear flesh and white flowers. Lifted, elegant and extremely pretty.' James Fryer, team leader. 'This has a lovely lychee and Turkish delight aroma, leading to an elegantly soft palate.' Michael Fiducia, Royal Automobile Club.

£11.60 Armit Wines

Lunae Bosoni , Albarola 2019, Liguria, Italy

'An excellent discovery, with charming aromas of tropical fruit with a touch of flower petal, and a palate that's aromatic, with great acidity.' Lionel Periner, team leader. 'Lovely peach, apricots and cream spring from the glass, leading to fairly high acidity. Decant and pair with roasted white fish.' Nigel Lister, St. Swithins Wine Shippers.

£15.80 Armit Wines

Araldica, Valle Berta, Gavi 2019, Piedmont, Italy

'Citrus and tart apple, as well as some banana notes, dominate both the aroma and flavour here, with some chalky minerality too.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting. 'Notes of candied lemon, apple, pear drop, green pear and peach.' Romain de Courcy, The Ritz Paris.

£7.35 Majestic Commercial

Marchesi di Grésy, Langhe Sauvignon Blanc 2018, Piedmont, Italy

'A little perlant on the tongue, this is a mineral and balanced wine that's aromatic yet well-tuned, with a hint of ginger.' Laurent Richet MS, team leader. 'Ripe crunchy apple, with some creamy, spicy notes.' Vivienne Franks, Aspects of Wine. 'Delicate citrus aromas with pear and almond notes.' Valentin Radosav, Gymkhana Restaurant London.

£13.70 Boutinot

Santa Seraffa, Gavi del Comune di Gavi 2019, Piedmont, Italy

'Fresh and vibrant, this is a good option for a by-the-glass list.' Raphael Thierry, consultant. 'A pleasant wine, with ripe citron and banana, and a smoky minerality.' Tim Smith, Winesurfer Consulting. 'This has a ripe core with zippy acids keeping it fresh, and a grassy, lemon finish with a bit of minerality.' Andres Ituarte, team leader.

£9.95 Boutinot

Fontanassa, Cà Adua, Gavi 2018, Piedmont, Italy

'With tropical fruits, delicate stone fruits and some good complexity, this is a gastronomic style that's good for restaurant wine lists.' Gaetano Giangaspero, C&C. 'Pronounced flavour intensity, with a creamy, buttery element and some sweet spices, crunchy citrus and stone fruit.' Savvas Symeonidis, Goodman Restaurant Mayfair.

£11.67 Top Selection