Villa Giada. Chardonnay 'Mane'

Piemonte DOC
Grapes: Chardonnay, Cortese

Creamy passion fruit and mango aromas, the oak and Chardonnay fruit are beautifully balanced, Andrea does this style so well: it has a lovely floral lift and, while the texture is veering to richness, the sensation is refreshing and pure, a touch of salt, defined peach and lemon – I never feel that this wine needs any ageing.  12.5%

Link to the Villa Giada Producer Page

Mané is the name given to the small hill just below the cellar, that was planted with Chardonnay by Andrea's grandfather. The hill looks a little odd since there are only vines planted on the part owned by the Faccio family, where white clays reflect brightly through the wild grasses. The vines are at an altitude of 300m, which is perfect for white grapes. This will sound strange, but it is a wine that keeps slipping my mind, it is quite lovely.
The grapes are picked by hand and pressed separately. Both the Chardonnay and Cortese utilise a spontaneous fermentation in temperature-controlled steel tanks. The Cortese is racked off the lees and held in steel until the assemblage: the Chardonnay is racked in tonneaux when the fermentation is almost complete where it then remains on the lees for 10 months. The assemblage uses the Cortese (the famed grape variety used in Gavi) to freshen the Chardonnay. It is an individual wine that really suits the terroir.