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Alcohol content: 12.5% | Ageing: 24 months on the lees | Serving temperature: 6-8°C
Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a white grape of French origin, native to Burgundy, home to some of the world’s finest and most prestigious wines. From there, it has spread worldwide and is now among the most widely cultivated white grape varieties globally. Today, exceptional wines made from Chardonnay are produced in regions as diverse as New Zealand, Israel, Australia, California, Chile, Argentina and, of course, Italy.
So widespread is Chardonnay that it has almost no synonyms (with the rare exception of ‘Morillon’ in Styria, Austria). The extraordinary range of aromatic compounds it offers changes depending on the soil and climate in which it is grown, making tasting Chardonnay wines a consistently novel experience.
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Total vineyard area (Italy): 19,709 ha
Total vineyard area (worldwide): 200,000 ha
The Plant
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Medium-sized leaves, short to medium in length, whole or three-lobed. Upper surface medium green, lower surface light green; both sides are smooth.
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Short, medium-thick petiole
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Medium, pyramidal clusters – winged and compact
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Medium-sized, obovoid berries
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Skin: moderately thick, heavily covered with bloom, intense green in colour
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Ripens: early to mid-September
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Pulp: juicy and neutral in flavour
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Consistently high yields
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Very vigorous, adapts well to various growing techniques
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Good resistance to downy mildew; more sensitive to botrytis and powdery mildew. Vulnerable to spring frost and very humid areas.
Pinot Noir
Pinot Noir is one of the most famous international grape varieties, originally from Burgundy, France. In addition to its global cultivation, it is also the genetic parent of varieties such as Pinot Grigio and Pinot Blanc. In Italy, it thrives in several notable areas, including Alto Adige, Oltrepò Pavese, Friuli, and parts of Tuscany.
Outside Italy, it is prominent in Napa and Sonoma Valley (California), while in Oregon’s cooler, wetter Willamette Valley, it is known for its finesse. In New Zealand, it is cultivated in Central Otago and Marlborough.​​
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Total vineyard area (Italy): 5,050 ha
Total vineyard area (worldwide): 90,000 ha
The Plant
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Medium, mostly round, three-lobed leaves. Upper surface dark green and blistered, lower surface webbed and light green
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Medium to short, smooth petiole
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Small, cylindrical clusters, often winged and compact
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Medium, spherical berries
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Skin: fairly thick and firm, bluish-black in colour
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Ripens: mid-September
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Pulp: juicy, sweet, with a simple flavour
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Moderate productivity
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Good vigour
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Slightly sensitive to rot
