Description
What kind of wine it is
The Chardonnay Lafoa by Colterenzio is a still white wine of great elegance, a true expression of the Alto Adige denomination. In the glass, it displays a straw yellow colour with greenish highlights. On the nose, it reveals hints of mango and melon, enriched by notes of walnut and a delicate oak undertone, derived from fermentation in wooden barrels. On the palate, the Chardonnay shows a significant structure, where smoothness blends with lively acidity, leading to a persistent and juicy finish that makes it ideal with grilled fish, shellfish, and white meats.
Where it comes from
It originates in Cornaiano, within the historic Lafoa vineyard. The vines grow on slopes situated between 400 and 550 metres above sea level, in a wine-growing area linked to the origins of Colterenzio. The cool microclimate and marked temperature variations between day and night preserve the freshness and acidic tension of the grapes. The moraine-origin soils, composed mainly of sand and gravel, give the wine a defined flavour profile and ensure excellent ageing potential.
How it is produced
Production begins with the gentle pressing of whole bunches to preserve the integrity of the must. Fermentation takes place in new and used wooden barrels, followed by partial malolactic conversion which harmonises the wine's structure. It then matures for about ten months in contact with fine lees; during this stage, the practice of bâtonnage enhances its roundness and aromatic complexity. The process concludes with a six-month rest in the bottle, consolidating its overall balance.
History and Curiosities
Founded in 1960 by twenty-six winegrowers, the Colterenzio winery has its roots in the renowned Lafoa vineyard in Cornaiano. Situated on a sunny slope at an altitude of 550 metres, this historic site serves as a model for the company's rigorous quality standards. Under the guidance of oenologist Martin Lemayr, the Chardonnay Alto Adige DOC fully expresses the character of the 2024 vintage, ensuring a magnificent ageing potential. This territorial expression guarantees evolution in the bottle from five to ten years, making it perfect for lovers of great still white wines.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
12 - 14 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
- Start up year: 1960
- Oenologist: Martin Lemayr
- Bottles produced: 1.900.000
- Hectares: 300
It was in the 1980s, South Tyrol was primarily a red-wine region, and the quality was run-of-the-mill. Raifer, a winegrower himself, recognised the potential of South Tyrol as an outstanding winegrowing region: The terroir was cheap, sufficient vineyard area was available and the winegrowers were hard-working and skilled. His first step in his vineyard, "Lafóa", a sunny mountain slope behind the Colterenzio cellar, was to replace the Vernatsch vines with Cabernet Sauvignon grapes, and, later, Sauvignon Blanc. He also brought in new quality standards: Lower yield for higher-quality grapes and higher-quality wines. It was on this pilot vineyard slope that, with both Cabernet Sauvignon and Sauvignon, the new quality standard measures were introduced.
This quality philosophy extended its reach to all members of the cooperative: new grape varietals were experimented with, and quality groups created. Today, the members and workers at the cellar are committed to working in line with this model throughout the entire winegrowing area, the cellars and for all wines.
The 300 partner winegrowers of the Colterenzio winery are the backbone of the company. They work year-round on their wine hills with their families in order to supply us with top-quality wine grapes in autumn. Read more
| Name | Colterenzio Chardonnay Lafoa 2024 |
|---|---|
| Type | White still |
| Denomination | Alto Adige DOC |
| Vintage | 2024 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 13.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Trentino Alto Adige |
| Vendor | Colterenzio |
| Story | History and Curiosities Founded in 1960 by twenty-six winegrowers, the Colterenzio winery has its roots in the renowned Lafoa vineyard in Cornaiano. Situated on a sunny slope at an altitude of 550 metres, this historic site serves as a model for the company's rigorous quality standards. Under the guidance of oenologist Martin Lemayr, the Chardonnay Alto Adige DOC fully expresses the character of the 2024 vintage, ensuring a magnificent ageing potential. This territorial expression guarantees evolution in the bottle from five to ten years, making it perfect for lovers of great still white wines. |
| Origin | Cornaiano (Bolzano), Alto Adige, Italia |
| Climate | Cool microclimate with significant daily temperature variations |
| Soil composition | Dry area, morainic, sandy, gravelly soils, of medium texture. |
| Yield per hectare | 45 hl/ha |
| Production technique | Gentle pressing of whole bunches; fermentation in new and used barriques with partial malolactic fermentation in wood; ageing on fine lees with bâtonnage and subsequent ageing in bottle |
| Wine making | Soft pressing of whole bunches; fermentation of the must in new and used barriques with partial malolactic fermentation in wood; ageing for 10 months on fine lees with bâtonnage and subsequent bottle ageing for about 6 months. |
| Aging | Aged for 10 months on fine lees with bâtonnage, followed by bottle ageing for about 6 months. |
| Total acidity | 5.6 gr/L |
| Residual sugar | 3.1 gr/L |
| Dry extract | 21.2 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |

