Chardonnay DOC 2019 Vigna San Francesco, Sicily Contea Scaflani Tasca d'Almerita

Chardonnay Vigna San Francesco Sicilia DOC 2023 by Tasca d'Almerita

Chardonnay Vigna San Francesco is a Sicilian white wine with great personality, crafted by Tasca d'Almerita, which interprets the international grape variety in a territorial and refined way. Born in the Regaleali Estate, in the heart of Sicily, it combines aromatic richness, structure, and freshness in an elegant and modern profile, ideal for those seeking an important and gastronomic white wine.

VIGNA SAN FRANCESCO
CHARDONNAY 2023
One of the most stimulating challenges for the company's managers. The project to create a wine of superior quality and rank using the most celebrated and widely used white grape variety globally began in the mid-1980s. The San Francesco vineyard was planted in 1985 by Lucio Tasca, in the lowest part of the slope, on a more fertile soil than the average of Regaleali due to a deeper active layer and greater freshness, resulting from less drainage of rainwater.
The clonal material comes partly from Burgundy. The parcel extends over about 5 hectares, with a planting density of 2.60 meters by 1.20 meters (3,200 plants per hectare), at an altitude between 520 and 532 meters. The original substrate consists of clayey-sandy sediments, the texture is clayey-sandy, weakly calcareous, with a slightly alkaline reaction (pH 8.1). It is a soil of considerable thickness, well-structured, but the roots do not exceed 70 centimeters in depth.
The soil has a normal organic matter content and is rich in mineral salts, particularly magnesium and potassium, with a good amount of phosphorus. The vines are trained on trellises, with a double Guyot training system.
The fermentation of the grapes takes place in 350-liter French oak barrels, with daily batonnage for the first 10-15 days, then weekly for the remaining 8 months of aging. Chardonnay is a very early variety, and at Regaleali, it usually reaches its maturity between the end of August and the first days of September, with few variations from year to year.

Territory and wine style

The Sicilia Contea di Sclafani DOC expresses its most authoritative side here, thanks to the Vigna San Francesco, located about 530 meters above sea level and characterized by deep, clayey-sandy, and slightly calcareous soils. These conditions help to balance a full-profile Chardonnay, supported by sapidity and freshness. The harvest and vinification in French oak contribute to building a rich, precise style that is consistent with the winery's quality tradition.

HARVEST 2023

Cool and dry winter, fresh and very rainy spring, followed by a hot summer with little rainfall.
Complex aroma of exotic fruit, banana, and cedar, associated with aromas of vanilla, cinnamon, and white chocolate. High body and intensity on the palate, balanced acidity. Since 2012, it no longer ferments in barrels, but in 350-liter tonneaux. On the nose, therefore, a wine that does not have a great predominance of wood over fruit.

Tasting notes

In the glass, it presents a deep straw yellow color, bright and inviting. The bouquet is intense and complex, with sensations of vanilla, peanut butter, and ripe fruit, integrated with an elegant background provided by the wood. On the palate, it is warm, full, and opulent, but maintains good taste tension thanks to the natural freshness of the grape variety and the sapidity of the territory. The structure is remarkable, the texture is soft and enveloping, while the finish is long and persistent.

Recommended pairings

This Chardonnay Sicilia DOC pairs wonderfully with structured seafood dishes, such as gratinated shellfish, baked fish, seafood risottos, and preparations with delicate sauces. It is also suitable for white meats, roast chicken, stuffed turkey, and semi-hard cheeses. Its richness makes it interesting even with international cuisine, warm appetizers, and creamy preparations.

Serving temperature

To best appreciate Chardonnay Vigna San Francesco, the ideal temperature is between 10 and 12°C. If possible, it is helpful to uncork the bottle a few minutes before serving to encourage the evolution of the aromas, especially when paired with complex dishes. It should be served not too cold, so as to fully express the aromatic component and taste depth.

Why buy it

Choosing this wine means opting for a characterful Italian Chardonnay, capable of telling the story of Sicily through an elegant and contemporary style. It is a bottle that combines the prestige of the winery, the identity of the territory, and evolved pleasantness, perfect for an important dinner or to enrich your cellar with a substantial white. Those looking to buy wine online will find in this Chardonnay an authoritative, versatile, and memorable label.