About this wine
Vineyard and terroir
The Chardonnay comes from vineyards in the Langhe area around Dogliani. The vines face north-east and average 10 years of age. They are trained to classic Guyot at approximately 6,000 vines per hectare, with an average yield of 50 hl/ha. The soil is composed of calcareous marl.
Grapes
100% Chardonnay.
Vinification
The grapes are harvested at the beginning of September and undergo very gentle pressing. Fermentation is temperature controlled. The technical sheet specifies fermentation in stainless-steel tanks, with 30% of the wine fermented in oak barriques. The wine page describes the vessels as stainless-steel tanks and first- and second-use French barriques.
Ageing
The technical sheet gives 6–7 months of maturation sur lie in stainless-steel tanks with bâtonnage. The wine page instead describes several months on the lees in both oak and stainless-steel tanks.
Tasting profile
Bright, lively straw yellow. The intense bouquet recalls tropical fruit, banana and grapefruit. The palate is savoury, balanced and harmonious, finishing with a honeyed note. Its overall style is fresh and elegant, and bottle ageing brings additional complexity.
Serving and pairing
Particularly suited to fish, shellfish and crustaceans, as well as vegetable-based dishes. After bottle ageing, it can also accompany more heavily spiced recipes.
Label / history
The historical “soldier” label was created by Renato Ratti in memory of the Piedmontese regiments that defended their region during the Napoleonic period around 1800.
The wine is bottled in the Albeisa, named after Alba. Renato Ratti created this distinctive territorial bottle in 1973 to identify the area and its wines.