Saleit Chardonnay DOC 2023

Origin

For a long time, no distinction was made between the grape varieties Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay, as the differences are difficult for the eye to detect. Chardonnay has been cultivated in Alto Adige for about 150 years and is now one of the leading white wine varieties.

Vintage

The 2023 winegrowing year was characterized by changeable weather and the resulting increased work in the vineyard. A snow-deficient winter and a warm March accelerated the start of vegetation. A typical April and a rainy May led to flowering close to the long-term average. June was unstable, with heat waves and drought. July brought a lot of rain coupled with some very hot days. Despite extreme temperature fluctuations in August, a golden autumn brought us a successful grape harvest with very good grape qualities overall.

Tasting notes

– brilliant straw-yellow
– full of tropical fruit aromas, especially pineapple and banana, just a hint of oak, with vanilla and butter rounding off this expressive nose
– full-bodied and balanced on the palate, long lingering finish with echoes of ripe fruit

Recommendation

This wine is perfect as an aperitif, or enjoyed with appetizers and fish.

Vinification

Whole-cluster pressing of ripe, healthy grapes, followed by a 10 to 18-hour cold maceration and natural clarification, slow fermentation at a controlled temperature of 18 °C, 5-month ageing on the fine lees (50% in the large casks and big wooden barrels), filtering and bottling in March.

Vineyard

South- and east-sloping vineyard between 350 and 450 meters above sea level. Very windy site, well-ventilated and therefore predestined for a later harvest; loamy, sandy, chalky gravel.