Chardonnay is the ultimate Christmas Day white. Delicate and textured it goes well with the rich flavours of a roast turkey and all the trimmings. It is the most widely white varietal planted around the world and, while most people think Burgundy when filling their cellar, there are many Italian alternative available which are worth considering. Below are some of the team's favourite for the festive season!
2022 Vie de Romans, Friuli
With over 100 years of wine expertise, Vie di Romans has been consistently producing some of the best Italian whites over the past 30 years. Based in the heart of Friuli Isonzo DOC, the estate has been managed by Gianfranco Gallo since 1978. He has a deep understanding of his vineyards and vinifies each parcel individually, giving Vie de Romans' wines the stamp of unique personality and a really good reputation in the region. Gianfranco does not allow for the malolactic fermentation to take place but ages his whites on the lees to add texture. He also ages them in the bottle for several months before release, so they can be enjoyed right away.
His Chardonnay is aged on the lees for nine months. Elegant nose of flowers with hints of honeysuckle, spice, and cinnamon. Medium-bodied with a light buttery feel on the palate lifted by a lively freshness.
2023 Bramito della Sala, Umbria
Owned by the Antinori family, Castillo della Sala makes wines which are characterised by 'structure and sophistication', as stated in Robert Parker's Wine Advocate. The vineyards are on soils rich in fossil deposits with veins of clay that give the wines minerality and elegance. Their flagship is Cervaro della Sala, was one of the first Italian white wines to be aged in barriques.
Bramito is Cevaro's little brother. Medium-bodied with citrus and apple flavours and some texture on the palate, it is made for early consumption and offers fantastic value.
2022 Cantina Terlano Kreuth, Alto Adige
Terlano is known for producing white wines that age beautifully. The vineyards are nestled on terraces that benefit from a great sun exposure and the cool alpine wind and lie on red volcanic soils. Vines have been carefully cultivated here by the same farming families for generations with a focus on cultivating as many vigorous old vines as possible to achieve optimum expression in the wines.
Fermented in large oak barrel (30HL), the wine goes though the malolactic fermentation and is aged on the lees in traditional wooden barrels for 8 months. Ripe citrus fruit and baked apple with hints of vanilla and toast. Complex, elegant with a creamy texture and a great length, this is a powerful wine with ageing potential.
2022 Passobianco, Sicily
Passopisciaro is Andrea Franchetti's project in Sicily. In the year 2000, after being tipped by a friend, Andrea visited the northern slope of Mount Etna to explore some neglected ancient vineyards. He saw great potential in the elevated terraces sitting on lava soils and decided to focus on making single vineyards wines, aiming to pave the way towards a cru system in the area.
Passobianco is sourced from Guardiola which has steep terraces between 850 and 1,000 meters abs. The soil is made of very loose, deep, powder-like lava that is high in minerals. Aromas of white flowers, citrus fruit and notes of wet stone and savoury herbs. Rich and fresh on the palate with a creamy texture.