White

Ampelio

By Fontanafredda, Barolo, Piemonte, Italy

Fontanafredda Ampelio

Fontanafredda's barrel-fermented Chardonnay, named for the study of the vine (ampelography) that guides the estate's approach to it, blending steel-fermented freshness with a partial barrel-aged component.

Tasting notes

Straw yellow colour; complex but fresh aroma, fruity, intense and pleasantly smoky; sapid, direct, harmonious palate with long persistence

Pairs well with

Aperitif, soft Piedmontese cheeses, chicken dishes such as Caesar salad, seafood and fish

Technical details

Style
White
Denomination
Langhe DOC Chardonnay
Grape
100% Chardonnay
Production area
Alba, Treiso, Serralunga d'Alba e Diano d'Alba
Soil
Calcareous, marl-rich soils
Harvest
By hand, in whole clusters
Vinification
Hand-harvested whole clusters placed directly in the press to protect the skins; soft pressing followed by roughly 24 hours of static decantation in steel; fermentation with indigenous yeasts, around 70% of the must moved partway through into small 5hl French (Allier) oak barrels, the rest staying in steel at controlled temperature; the two parts are blended the following spring before bottling
Serving temperature
10-12°C
Storage
Best within 3-4 years, though built to hold a little longer

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