M�rke: Conti Formentini

CHARDONNAY
Collio DOC

The grapes: 100% chardonnay.

The vineyard: selected vines on the hills in the commune of San Floriano del Collio, at about 150-200 metres above sea level; the vines, trained using the spurred cordon or double-arched cane system, grow in prevalently marlstone and sandstone soil, with an average density of 4,500 vines per hectare; the average grape crop is 8-8.5 tonnes/hectare, with a yield in wine of 65%.

Vinification: the grapes, harvested in the middle of September, are subjected to various vinification techniques
in different percentages: one part is subjected to pellicular maceration, another part to cryomaceration for a few hours and a third part to hyperreduction. The aim of each of these techniques is to extract the polyphenes and aromatic components. A portion of about 7% goes through a further passage: at mid fermentation it is put into second-passage barriques to allow the wine to develop in amplitude and round off its rough edges.

The wine: an intense golden colour; a very fine fragrant perfume, with scents of apple, citrus fruit and peaches, and hints of the Mediterranean maquis; a full elegant flavour with a voluptuous and harmonious interweave, fresh and clean with an aristocratic finish of apples, laurel and almond which persists at length on the palate.

Analytical data: 13.70% alcohol; 5.00 g/l total acidity; 3.50 pH ; 2,5 g/l sugar; 19 g/l dry extract.

Optimum conservation: 2-3 years in bottles laid on their sides in a cool dark environment.

Gastronomic combinations: refined fish and shellfish hors d'oeuvres, aperitif

Serving temperature: 10°-12° C