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5218 Lawton Avenue
Oakland, CA 94114

510-654-9159

Oliver McCrum Wines has been importing small production Italian wine and distributing to fine retail and restaurant establishes throughout California since 1994. Over time, our portfolio of producers has steadily grown to over 45 producers from 15 different regions of Italy. We look for typical Italian wines with clarity and freshness, usually made from indigenous Italian grape varieties using clean, transparent winemaking techniques and no obvious use of oak. 

La Ghibellina

about la ghibellina:

La Ghibellina is an estate in the Gavi appellation of southern Piedmont, near the border with Liguria and less than an hour’s drive to Genoa on the coast. Cortese di Gavi, or Gavi di Gavi which the wine can be called when the grapes are grown in the commune of Gavi, was promoted to DOCG status in 1998. Wines labeled Cortese di Gavi or Gavi di Gavi must be made from 100% Cortese grapes. The Cortese grape, with its striking acidity and chalky mineral character, thrives in the limestone-rich clay soils around Gavi.

The owners, Marina and Alberto Ghibellini, manage the farm and wine production with the help of the clearly talented oenologist Beppe Caviola and their agronomist, Alberto Abate. While Marina's family has been in the Gavi area for generations, Marina and Alberto are newcomers to the winemaking scene in Gavi; they made their first vintage in 2000. Their total production is currently about 5,000 cases per year. I look for white wines that are clean but very expressive, and the Gavis of La Ghibellina is a model of this style.

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the wines:

Gavi di Gavi 'Mainìn'

'Mainìn' is a dialect form of the name Marina; Marina Ghibellini is one of the owners of the estate. The ‘Mainìn’ is made from 100% estate-grown Cortese, fermented and aged in stainless steel. About 4,000 cases of this bottling is produced per year. 

Good Gavi is characterized by an almost Chablis-like mineral quality, with restrained aromas of flowers, wet stones and citrus. 

Gavi di Gavi Brut, Metodo Classico

The sparkling brut from La Ghibellina is made from 100% estate-grown Cortese, aged on the lees for 24 months. There are few Italian indigenous varieties that make very good 'classic method' sparkling wines, and the tart mineral character of Cortese makes it an obvious choice.

Excellent as a dry aperitif, or a match for seafood antipasti. The idea of this wine with 'fritto misto' is making my mouth water.

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more information:

Visit the La Ghibellina website

More about Piemonte