In 1979, Lucio Tasca d'Almerita decided to measure himself with the most celebrated white grape variety in the world. So in the mid-80s, with cuttings coming from Burgundy, among other places, about 5 acres of Chardonnay were planted at the bottom of the San Francesco hill, with a predominantly south-west exposure about 500 metres above sea level. Like Cabernet Sauvignon, the variety was not recognized by specific guidelines at that time. In 1989, the first vintage of Chardonnay was vinified and marketed. The uniqueness of the '91 Botrytis Cinerea and the '92 Vendemmia Tardiva vintages will be long remembered.
Grapes:Chardonnay
Appellation: Chardonnay Contea di Sclafani DOC.
Production area: Regaleali Estate - Palermo - Sicily.
Vineyards: San Francesco of 4.9 Ha.
Soil: Deep, clay, slightly calcareous.
Age of vineyard: 1985.
Altitude of vineyards: 530 m. a.s.l.
Vineyard exposure: South/West.
Training system: Espalier.
Pruning system: Double Guyot and Guyot.
Vines per Ha: 2900 San Francesco.
Yield per Ha: 6.9 t.
Production method: In 350 liter French oak barrels at 18°C for 15 days.
Fermentation temperature: 18°C.
Maceration: 15 days.
Malolactic fermentation: Not run.
Ageing: 8 months in French oak (Allier & Tronçais) 350 liter barrels 70% new and 30% second use. 6 months in bottle before release.
Wine analytical data: pH 3.51 - TA 6.40 g/l - RS 1.90 g/l - TE 25.20 g/l.