Chardonnay 'Teresa Manara Diciotto Settembre' Cantele 2020

Cantele's Chardonnay "Teresa Manara Diciotto Settembre" is a wine with a typically Mediterranean profile: intense, rich, and dense with aromas. It is born from grapes harvested at full maturity, concentrating all the sun and warmth of the Salento region. The vinification in wood enhances the notes of harmonious smoothness, offering a palate characterized by tropical fruit aromas and buttery pastry sensations. This version of Chardonnay is suitable for those who appreciate whites with good structure, soft, creamy, enveloping, and great gustatory persistence.

The white Chardonnay "Teresa Manara Diciotto Settembre" originates in the deep heart of Salento. The Cantele estate is located in the countryside of Guagnano, a few kilometres north of Lecce. The warm and ventilated climate, always tempered by the gentle sea breezes, and the poor soils, predominantly composed of sand and limestone, have proven to be very suitable not only for cultivating local varieties like Negroamaro and Primitivo but also for the noble white grape of Burgundy. Chardonnay has been present in Puglia for a long time, and in Salento, it expresses wines with a typically territorial character. In these latitudes, the grape demonstrates remarkable flexibility, interpreting the terroir's characteristics, resulting in warm and intense wines. Despite originating in Northern Europe, Chardonnay shows great adaptability and expressive plasticity.

The Chardonnay "Teresa Manara Diciotto Settembre" is the flagship white of the Cantele cellar. It is produced with Chardonnay grapes harvested late, towards the beginning of September. Fermentation begins in stainless steel tanks and finishes in oak barrels. Before bottling, the wine matures in barrels for about 12 months. It presents itself with a bright and brilliant golden-yellow colour. The bouquet expresses ripe aromas of yellow fruit, citrus zest, tropical fruit, buttery notes, hints of vanilla, and soft spices. On the palate, it has a good structure and a harmonious, warm, and round palate, with dense and ample flavours. The finish is long and very persistent.