Story: Chardonnay | Grape variety

Chardonnay, the world-famous noble grape, is also extremely popular in Italy and has established itself there as one of the leading white wine varieties. Originally from Burgundy, the golden yellow Chardonnay has been a global success story and has proven itself to be a versatile grape variety that is attractive for many drinking occasions and wine lovers. In Italy, Chardonnay is becoming increasingly important and has gained a foothold in many regions of the country.

Chardonnay is one of the grape varieties that - like many other prominent wine varieties - has its roots in the Near East. Over the centuries, the grape found its way to France, where it flourished in Burgundy, its now iconic home. However, Chardonnay has also found ideal conditions in Italy and is now successfully cultivated in numerous wine-growing regions. Like Pinot Blanc and Riesling, the grape variety places high demands on the location, but rewards the effort with wines of exceptional quality and versatility.

Chardonnay in Italy: regions and styles
Italian winegrowers have fully exploited the adaptability and potential of Chardonnay. In regions such as Trentino-Alto Adige, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Veneto and Tuscany, Chardonnay is one of the most important white wine grape varieties. These regions offer ideal climatic conditions for producing wines with a complex aroma spectrum and fine structure.

In the cool, alpine altitudes of Trentino-Alto Adige, Chardonnay produces fresh, lively wines that often have mineral notes. These wines are characterized by their elegant acid structure and clear fruitiness, with aromas of citrus fruits, green apples and white flowers dominating. Alpine Chardonnay wines are particularly suitable for lovers of lighter, fresh white wines that go well with fish dishes, seafood or light starters.

Further south, in Tuscany, the wines show a completely different style. The warmer temperatures here give the Chardonnay a fuller body and richer fruit notes such as ripe pears, peaches and tropical fruits. Tuscan Chardonnay wines are often aged in barriques, which gives them an additional creamy texture and spicy notes of vanilla, roasted almonds and butter. These more complex, barrel-aged varieties are an excellent accompaniment to roast poultry, veal and mature cheese.

In Friuli-Venezia Giulia, one of Italy's most innovative wine regions, Chardonnay is often vinified in a modern style. Here, winemakers combine traditional winemaking techniques with modern cellar technology to create wines that reflect the terroir of the region. Friulian Chardonnay wines are known for their harmony and balance, often with floral aromas, crisp acidity and a hint of minerality that reflects the region's gravel soils.

Chardonnay: Flexible in maturation and taste
One of the great strengths of Chardonnay is its versatility in terms of ageing. Italian winegrowers take advantage of this flexibility and offer wines in a wide range of styles - from fresh, light qualities to powerful, wood-accented varieties. While Chardonnay retains a clear, fresh character in steel tanks, it develops its complex, rich side in barriques. Ageing in barriques, preferably in small oak barrels, gives the wine aromas of vanilla, caramel and spices, while at the same time increasing its fullness and structure.

This versatility makes Chardonnay an ideal companion for a wide variety of dishes and occasions. A young, fresh Chardonnay is an excellent accompaniment to seafood, oysters or light summer salads. A barrel-aged, full-bodied Chardonnay, on the other hand, harmonizes perfectly with roast poultry, veal or hearty pasta dishes with cream sauces. The light versions of Chardonnay, which often remain untouched by wood, are also ideal for an uncomplicated aperitif.

Chardonnay and sparkling wine production in Italy
Chardonnay also plays a central role in sparkling wine production in Italy. Especially in the Franciacorta region, one of the most renowned sparkling wine regions in Italy, Chardonnay is often used for the production of high-quality sparkling wines produced using the traditional bottle fermentation method. In Franciacorta DOCG, the Italian equivalent of Champagne, Chardonnay produces fresh, elegant and complex sparkling wines that impress with their fine perlage, lively acidity and aromatic depth. Together with Pinot Nero and Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay forms the basis for some of the best sparkling wines in Italy.

Chardonnay is also used for sparkling wine production in the Trento DOC. The cool alpine conditions in this region produce fresh, structured sparkling wines with intense fruit aromas and an elegant minerality.

Chardonnay: a success story in Italy
Chardonnay has established itself as one of the most important white wine grape varieties in Italy. The grape has managed to adapt to different regions and make full use of its versatility. Whether as a fresh, mineral wine from the Alps, a creamy, barrique-aged drop from Tuscany or an elegant sparkling wine from Franciacorta - Italian Chardonnay impresses with its versatility and its ability to reflect the terroir. Winegrowers throughout Italy value the grape variety for its reliability and flexibility and offer an impressive variety of wines that appeal to both connoisseurs and casual wine drinkers alike. - Gerardo [TS09/24]