Villa Russiz
Chardonnay Riserva Grafin De La Tour 2020
| Denomination | DOC Collio Goriziano Chardonnay Riserva |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Area | Friuli-Venezia Giulia (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Chardonnay |
| Aging | After the first racking, the must is placed in small oak barrels of 225 and 500 litres, then blended in a single stainless steel tank where it matures for another year and finishes with a further 12 months of ageing in the bottle. |
- Denomination and style: Collio DOC, still dry white wine aged in wood
- Grape variety and vintage: 100% Chardonnay, 2020 harvest, 75 cl bottle
- Aromas: notes of ripe apple, bread crust, vanilla and harmonised citrus
- Vinification: gentle pressing, 12 months in French oak followed by 12 months in bottle
- Pairings: ideal with aperitifs, medium-aged cheeses, shellfish, white meats and structured soups
Description
What kind of wine it is
Grafin De La Tour Chardonnay is a still white wine of great character, produced by Villa Russiz in Collio. Made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes, it boasts a full-bodied style with marked complexity, structured by its time in wood. On the palate, it is deep, incisive and balanced, with a colour featuring golden yellow reflections. It pairs harmoniously with fine shellfish, medium-aged cheeses, or can be served as an elegant aperitif.
Where it comes from
The grapes are grown in the heart of Collio, in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, near Capriva del Friuli. The vineyards thrive on marl soils which, combined with their southern exposure and the Guyot training system, ensure a pronounced concentration of fruit. The origin of this white wine is linked to the foresight of the French Count Teodoro de La Tour, who in the nineteenth century recognised the potential of these hills and introduced advanced techniques for excellent viticulture.
How it is produced
The bunches are hand-picked in mid-September during the coolest hours. The process begins with a gentle pressing of the whole bunches. The free-run must undergoes fermentation and subsequent maturation in oak barrels, before being blended into a harmonious blend in steel. The wine completes its evolution with a lengthy ageing in French oak barrels, finishing with a final period of rest. The result boasts intense aromas of ripe apple, bread crust, citrus and vanilla, offering a deep sip.
History and Curiosities
The brainchild of Count Teodoro de La Tour, this prestigious Chardonnay Riserva celebrates the historic winemaking dedication of Villa Russiz, founded in 1868. The grapes ripen on particularly suitable marl soils, with a southern exposure, and are meticulously hand-picked in mid-September to preserve their maximum concentration. The multi-award-winning 2020 vintage skilfully blends tradition and modern winemaking techniques in an aristocratic, complex and perfectly balanced sip, reflecting the noble soul and charm of the Collio hills.
Tasting notes
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
12 - 14 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
Decanting time:
1 hour
- Start up year: 1868
- Oenologist: Fabijan Muzic, Giorgio Bertossi
- Bottles produced: 250.000
- Hectares: 45
Théodore de La Tour was the first to understand the essence that made Collio wines great worldwide. Here, the extraordinary microclimate can offer the maximum benefits in the encounter between the cool winds of the Julian Alps and the sea breezes of the nearby Adriatic, and both softened in the perfectly exposed hills of Capriva del Friuli.
Therefore, this gave rise to what is still today the fundamental basis of Villa Russiz: new varieties best suited to the territory and capable of developing quality at the highest levels, a marvellous cellar with large vaults that is entirely underground, and a passion and constant commitment to attention to detail from the vineyard, to the wine factory, to the bottle.
Villa Russiz was and still is a symbol of generosity and sentiment. The sentiment of Elvine Ritter who, after the death of her husband in 1894, continued the count's commitment until she was overwhelmed by the events of the First World War and decided to leave the estate. Later, the generosity of the noblewoman Adele Cerruti took the form of vital help and support for children, which continues to this day, with the configuration of Villa Russiz into a non-profit organisation. The meticulous passion for viticulture is more alive today than ever at Villa Russiz, in the 94 hectares that make up the estate, 30 of which are given over to vineyards, with particular attention to keeping the number of vines per hectare between 4,500 and 7,000, thus guaranteeing grapes of great concentration. The wines of Villa Russiz are all part of the Collio DOCG, as are the three crus: Sauvignon de La Tour, Graf de La Tour and Grafin de La Tour. These three crus are the company's flagship for a modern quest for maximum quality, a coherent path of development and for creating great wines of international standing. Read more
| Name | Villa Russiz Chardonnay Riserva Grafin De La Tour 2020 |
|---|---|
| Type | White still |
| Denomination | Collio DOC |
| Vintage | 2020 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 14.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Chardonnay |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Friuli-Venezia Giulia |
| Vendor | Villa Russiz |
| Story | History and Curiosities The brainchild of Count Teodoro de La Tour, this prestigious Chardonnay Riserva celebrates the historic winemaking dedication of Villa Russiz, founded in 1868. The grapes ripen on particularly suitable marl soils, with a southern exposure, and are meticulously hand-picked in mid-September to preserve their maximum concentration. The multi-award-winning 2020 vintage skilfully blends tradition and modern winemaking techniques in an aristocratic, complex and perfectly balanced sip, reflecting the noble soul and charm of the Collio hills. |
| Origin | Vineyards located near the company headquarters with southern exposure |
| Soil composition | Entirely marly soil |
| Cultivation system | Guyot |
| Plants per hectare | 5500 |
| Harvest | Mid-September |
| Fermentation | About 8 months |
| Production technique | Soft pressing of whole bunches; fermentation and ageing in oak barrels (225 and 500 L); blending in steel tanks; ageing for 12 months in French oak and 12 months in bottle |
| Wine making | Gentle pressing of whole bunches; initial racking; fermentation and maturation in 225 and 500 L oak barrels, then blending in a single stainless steel tank; aged for 12 months in French oak and a further 12 months in bottle. |
| Aging | After the first racking, the must is placed in small oak barrels of 225 and 500 litres, then blended in a single stainless steel tank where it matures for another year and finishes with a further 12 months of ageing in the bottle. |
| Total acidity | 5.51 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |