# Ataj (Cascina Castlèt)

> White, Piemonte DOC Chardonnay by [Cascina Castlèt](https://ilvinobello.com/wineries/cascina-castlet.md), Asti, Piemonte, Italy. From Il Vino Bello (https://ilvinobello.com/wines/cascina-castlet-ataj).

- **Producer:** Cascina Castlèt
- **Style:** White
- **Denomination:** Piemonte DOC Chardonnay
- **Grape:** Chardonnay 100%
- **Production area:** Costigliole d'Asti
- **Soil:** Medium, loose soils.
- **Harvest:** Hand-picked in the first ten days of September at full ripeness.
- **Vineyard planting:** Espalier-trained (controspalliera), about 4,500 vines per hectare, yield around 85 quintals per hectare (59 hl of wine).
- **Vinification:** Soft pressing, the must is chilled and settled statically, then ferments with selected yeasts at an average 18°C; the wine rests on its fine lees in stainless steel until bottling.
- **Serving temperature:** 10 to 12°C in tulip glasses with a long stem.
- **Storage:** Released soon after bottling for its freshness; can be kept a few years but is best drunk young.
- **Last updated:** 2026-09-25



## Summary

Chardonnay, a variety first planted in Costigliole in the early 1800s by the Marchese Filippo Asinari di San Marzano; the name Ataj was chosen from entries submitted by the estate's customers and friends in a naming contest.

## Tasting notes

Pale straw yellow with faint green hues. Broad, intense, fruity and floral bouquet, very persistent. Dry, well structured and pleasantly acidic, delicate and elegant with long aromatic persistence. Alcohol 13% vol.

## Food pairings

A good aperitif, with starters, first courses in light sauces, and fish or shellfish mains.