Chardonnay Vigna San Francesco 2023

Tasca d'Almerita Chardonnay was born from the enterprising spirit of Count Lucio Tasca, who, back in 1989, wanted to embark on a new winemaking adventure. Chardonnay is the international grape variety par excellence. After evaluating its cultivation in other Italian and international winemaking areas, the count wanted to test it in Sicily. The results were more than satisfactory, so much so that he gifted this precious nectar. The vineyards of the Tenuta Regaleali are located along the San Francesco hill at an altitude of 530 meters and have a southwest exposure. The Tenuta Regaleali is located in the County of Sclafani, immersed in the countryside between Palermo and Caltanissetta. The microclimate is ideal for Chardonnay, which has found ideal conditions for its vigor. Winters are mild and fairly dry. Summers are hot and humid, with good temperature variations between day and night, which favor the proper ripening of the grapes and fixation of their sugars. The sun, wind, and the mitigating action of the island's sea do the rest. The wine is produced with 100% Chardonnay grapes and its denomination is Contea di Sclafani DOC. The harvest takes place between late August and early September. Hand-picking the bunches preserves their integrity. Once the grapes arrive in the cellar, they are soft-pressed to obtain the free-run must. Fermentation lasts approximately 15 days in oak barrels. Malolactic fermentation does not take place. The wine is placed in barriques, 70% new and 30% second-passage, for a period of 8 months. It is then bottled and aged in bottle for 6 months.