Gaja Langhe Chardonnay Gaia & Rey 2023 is one of the most famous and prestigious Italian white wines, created by the legendary Gaja winery. First produced in 1983, it became the first Piedmont Chardonnay aged in French oak barrels, and is still considered the benchmark by which top-class Italian Chardonnays are judged. The wine is named in honor of Angelo Gaja's daughter Gaia and his grandmother Clotilde Rey.
The bouquet of aromas is very complex and multi-layered. Notes of ripe apricots, white peaches, melons, mango and citrus fruits are revealed, complemented by white flowers, honey, fennel, anise and subtle nuances of vanilla and roasted hazelnuts.
The wine is rich, concentrated and extremely elegant. The creamy texture is perfectly balanced by fresh acidity and chalky minerality. The palate is full of peaches, citrus, baked apples, subtle buttery tones and a long, salty mineral aftertaste that lingers for an exceptionally long time and constantly reveals new layers.
The wine is produced from two historic Chardonnay vineyards in the Langhe region. One is located in the Treiso area and provides aromatic refinement and balance, while the other in the Serralunga d'Alba area adds structure and acidity. The calcareous soils and cooler Piedmont climate allow for an exceptional balance between ripeness and freshness.
Fermentation takes place in oak barrels, followed by malolactic fermentation and 12 months of aging in French oak barrels, followed by at least 6 months in the bottle before release.
Serve at 10–12 °C. Goes well with: lobster and langoustines, scallops, white fish dishes with butter sauces, truffles, risotto with mushrooms, mature hard cheeses.
The Gaja family settled in the Piedmont region of northwestern Italy in the mid-17th century. They have been producing wine in the Barbaresco area since 1859. Four generations of dedicated work and a noble pursuit of making top-quality wines have made the Gaja name synonymous with Italian winemaking excellence worldwide. Today, the fifth generation – Gaia, Giovanni, and Rossana Gaja – continues the family traditions, leading this legendary winery.
Currently, Gaja in Piedmont produces both classic expressions of the ‘Nebbiolo’ grape – Barbarescos and Barolos – and innovative “Langhe DOC” red and white wines from international grape varieties. The family also owns two estates in Tuscany: “Ca’Marcanda” in Bolgheri, famous for its “Super Tuscan” wines, and “Pieve S. Restituta” in the Montalcino area, producing “Brunello di Montalcino” wines. Additionally, a joint project with Alberto Graci in Sicily, at the foot of Mount Etna, testifies to the family’s constant pursuit of innovation and quality.
The Gaja family firmly believes that the true spirit and quality of wine are born in the vineyards themselves. Therefore, the greatest attention is paid to vineyard care: searching for climate change-resistant clones, limiting yields, growing other crops between vineyard rows to enrich the soil and help retain moisture and protect the harvest from heat. The highest quality standards are applied to all farms: grapes are grown only in family-owned vineyards, adhering to ecological and sustainability principles, with particular attention to soil quality and biodiversity.
Wine Style
Gaja wines are characterized by elegance, complexity, and perfectly reflect the terroir of their origin regions.
Prestigious Vineyards
The Gaja family owns prestigious vineyards in the Piedmont and Tuscany regions:
Aging and Consumption Period
Gaja wines are characterized by an excellent balance, allowing them to be enjoyed both young and mature. They have immense potential to age and develop over time, revealing new nuances of their character.
