Sicilia Menfi DOC Chardonnay 2024 Planeta

What kind of wine is it?

Planeta’s Chardonnay is a medium to full-bodied white wine made from Chardonnay grapes. It displays a fine and balanced aromatic profile, with ripe fruit and integrated freshness. Fermentation takes place in barriques at a controlled temperature, followed by approximately twelve months’ maturation in French oak barrels. This process provides body, complexity, and a pleasant creaminess, while the lively acidity remains pronounced, supporting drinkability and evolution.

Where does it come from?

The grapes come from the Ulmo and Maroccoli vineyards in the area of Sambuca di Sicilia, in the province of Agrigento. The Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers tempered by the sea, fosters even ripening. Alluvial and sandy soils with limestone and clay components provide the wine with structure and freshness. Altitudes between 100 and 150 metres ensure nocturnal temperature variations, enhancing elegance and aroma.

How is it made?

Harvesting is done by hand between the second and third week of September, with careful grape selection. After destemming and soft pressing, the must is cooled and transferred to French oak barriques for fermentation under temperature control. Malolactic fermentation and maturation for about twelve months in second-use barrels, with periodic bâtonnage, enrich the wine’s structure and complexity; the wine is then lightly filtered before bottling.

Tasting notes

Bright golden yellow with greenish highlights to the eye. The bouquet is intense and complex, with aromas of apricot, peach, Golden apple, and figs, as well as notes of honey and pistachios. On the palate, it offers a rich, creamy texture, supported by lively acidity that ensures fluidity. The finish is persistent, with lingering sweet citrus and subtle vanilla hints, balancing fruit and oak.

Food pairings

This Planeta Chardonnay pairs perfectly with fish dishes and shellfish, and enhances prawn carpaccio and linguine with clams. It’s also suitable for white meats with light sauces and for traditional Sicilian fish soups, such as Sciacca’s. Excellent with pasta with sardines and seafood risotto, where the aromatic complexity harmonises with the various marine notes.

When to serve

This wine can be enjoyed young or after several years in the bottle. Thanks to its barrel maturation and good acidity, it retains freshness and aromatic intensity for up to three or four years. The ideal drinking window is between the second and fourth year; serve at a temperature between 10 and 12 °C to best appreciate its richness and balance.