Questo vino
Grapes
Chardonnay trained on espalier with Guyot pruning and harvested during the second half of August.
Vinification
After gentle pressing, the must is chilled to 10°C to encourage natural clarification. Fermentation is divided between stainless-steel tanks and barriques.
Ageing
The wine matures on its lees in stainless steel and French oak barriques. The barrel component combines new, second-fill, and third-fill wood so that oak supports the wine without dominating it. Bottle ageing brings further depth, and the wine is intended to evolve over multiple vintages.
Technical data
Salento IGP. Serve at 14°C.
Tasting profile
Bright straw yellow with golden reflections. The layered nose combines ripe yellow fruit, candied orange peel, quince, floral nuances, almond, hazelnut, sweet spices, toast, fresh butter, and vanilla. French oak is integrated into the aromatic profile rather than standing apart. The palate is full and velvety, with a creamy texture balanced by lively freshness. Fruit and spice unfold gradually before a long, persistent finish marked by mineral and citrus notes.
Serving and pairing
Its structure, freshness, oak-derived spice, and long finish suit oven-baked turbot, butter-poached lobster, truffle risotto, mushroom vol-au-vent, creamy fish soups, or pasta with bottarga and citrus zest. Regional pairings include stuffed cuttlefish, grilled octopus, baked shellfish, braised artichokes, pittule with turnip greens, smoked burratina, and fresh canestrato cheese.
Label / history
During the 1990s, Augusto Cantele began fermenting Chardonnay in barrique in pursuit of complexity, elegance, and longevity. The wine was initially sold abroad under another name. In 1999 it was formally dedicated to his mother, Teresa Manara, who had supported the project from its beginnings.
