Alteni di Brassica
⏳ wine.drinking_window
Typically best enjoyed 3 to 10 years from the vintage release, as it gains complexity, honeyed depth, and integration with age.
🍽️ wine.food_pairings
Herb-roasted poultry, grilled white fish such as sea bass, and fresh goat cheese or vegetable risottos.
✨ wine.spec_sheet
Gaja's Alteni di Brassica is a landmark white wine from Piedmont, first released in 1986 under the visionary guidance of Angelo Gaja. Crafted from 100% Sauvignon Blanc grown in the premium clay-limestone soils of Barbaresco and Serralunga d'Alba, this wine represents a daring departure from regional tradition. The name pays homage to the local heritage: 'Alteni' refers to the historic dry stone walls that once bordered the local orchards, while 'Brassica' is the yellow wildflower of the mustard family that blankets the vineyards in spring. Unlike many crisp, stainless-steel Sauvignon Blancs, Alteni di Brassica undergoes fermentation and aging in oak barriques for six to eight months. This meticulous process imparts a rich, textured complexity, balancing vibrant citrus and tropical fruit notes with elegant herbal undertones, structured minerality, and a subtle, creamy finish.
🍾 wine.about_producer
Founded in 1859 by Giovanni Gaja in the village of Barbaresco, Piedmont, Gaja is one of the world's most legendary wine estates, celebrated for revolutionizing Italian viticulture. Under the visionary leadership of Angelo Gaja, who joined the family business in 1961, the winery pioneered modern techniques in the Langhe, including green harvesting, temperature-controlled fermentations, and aging in French barriques. Gaja is globally renowned for its iconic single-vineyard Nebbiolo bottlings, such as Sor'i San Lorenzo, Costa Russi, and Sperss, alongside pioneering white wines like Gaia & Rey. The family has since expanded its uncompromising pursuit of quality to Tuscany, producing acclaimed Brunello di Montalcino at Pieve Santa Restituta and Bolgheri blends at Ca' Marcanda.