Questo vino
Vineyard and terroir
The Chardonnay comes from vineyards in Sessame, Mango and Trezzo Tinella, planted at 400–450 metres above sea level. The sites face west and northwest and have clay-limestone soils. Vines are 10–25 years old, trained to Guyot and managed under sustainable viticulture practices.
Grapes
100% Chardonnay. Propàgo is Enrico Serafino’s first Alta Langa made entirely from Chardonnay, in contrast to the producer’s traditionally Pinot Noir-led Alta Langa wines.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested entirely by hand and the bunches are manually selected on a vibrating sorting table. Pressing takes place under nitrogen to protect the fruit from oxygen, producing a 45% yield of free-run must. Screw conveyors are excluded from the process to minimize handling.
The must ferments in temperature-controlled stainless-steel vats, then remains on its lees in steel for 6 months with bâtonnage. Secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle according to the traditional method.
Ageing
The wine matures on its lees in bottle for at least 36 months. The first disgorgement follows 36 months on the lees, and four disgorgements are undertaken for each vintage. After disgorgement, the liqueur d’expédition is prepared from reserve wines and sugar according to a proprietary recipe. No spirits are used in the dosage, which leaves 3 g/L of residual sugar and an Extra Brut style.
Technical data
- Vintage: Millesimato 2020
- Winemaker: Paolo Giacosa
- Alcohol: 12.5% vol.
- Residual sugar: 3 g/L
- Dosage category: Extra Brut
- Free-run must yield: 45%
- Base-wine lees ageing: 6 months in stainless steel with bâtonnage
- Bottle lees ageing: at least 36 months
- Disgorgements: four per vintage
Tasting profile
Straw yellow with golden highlights, with a fine, persistent stream of bubbles. The bouquet is broad yet delicate and complex, combining linden blossom, citrus, honey and mineral nuances. The palate is multifaceted, expansive and linear, with a dry profile, citrus freshness and an elegant but intense expression. Its crisp texture leads into a long mineral aftertaste, with close correspondence between aroma and flavour. The style falls toward the fuller-bodied end of the stated scale and shows no oak influence.
Serving and pairing
Serve at 4–6 °C. It works naturally as an aperitif and can also accompany an entire meal. Suggested cellaring is 4–6 years.
Vintage notes
The 2020 growing season began with a mild winter. March and April brought fine weather and little rain, while substantial rainfall in May and June slowed vegetative growth before conditions returned to balance. Harvest for Alta Langa began on 21 August. The vintage produced wines characterized by intense, elegant aromas and good balance.
Label / history
“Propago” is Latin for a plant bud or shoot. The name marks the wine’s departure from Enrico Serafino’s Pinot Noir-driven Alta Langa tradition: it is the house’s first 100% Chardonnay Blanc de Blancs. Its character combines Chardonnay’s breadth with a crisp texture associated with the vineyards’ elevated position.
