Di Lenardo Chardonnay Friuli Grave 2011 750ml

Winery: Di Lenardo

Varietal: Chardonnay

Of all the white wine grape varietals, surely the one which has spread the furthest and is most widely appreciated is the Chardonnay. This green skinned grape is now grown all over the Old and New Worlds, from New Zealand to the Americas, from England to Chile, and is one of the first varietals people think of when considering white wine grapes. Perhaps this is because of its huge popularity which reached a peak in the 1990s, thanks to new technologies combining with traditional methods to bring the very best features out of the Chardonnay grape, and allow its unique qualities to shine through. Most fine Chardonnay wines use a process known as malolactic fermentation, wherein the malic acids in the grape juice are converted to lactic acids, allowing a creamier, buttery nature to come forward in the wine. No grape varietal is better suited to this process than Chardonnay, which manages to balance these silky, creamy notes with fresh white fruit flavors beautifully.

Region: Friuli-Venezia Giulia

The beautiful, mountainous region of Friuli-Venezia Giulia in northern Italy is home to many of the countries finest and most interesting wines. Because of the region's close proximity to the Austrian and Slovenian borders, there is a fascinating Germanic influence on the wine culture of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where you are as likely to find delicious, crisp white Riesling and Pinot Bianco wines alongside more classic Italian varietals, such as Pinot Grigio. The white wines of the region are renowned for their alpine character, and are prized for their dryness, and their ability to express their fantastic terroir. Friuli-Venezia Giulia's location, between the Alps and the Adriatic, provides plenty of fresh and airy character to the wines which are produced here, and the region is becoming increasingly popular with those seeking something a little different from their Italian white wines.

Country: Italy

It isn't difficult to understand why Italy is famed not just for the quality of its wines, but also for the vast variety and range of characteristics found in the wines there. The terrain of the country varies wildly, from the lush rolling green hills and valley of Tuscany, to the sun drenched rocky coasts of Sicily, the mountainous and alpine regions of the north, and the marshy lowlands of the east. Italy really does have a little bit of everything. Combine this huge range of landscapes with an almost perfect climate for grape cultivation, and you have a country seemingly designed for viticultural excellence. The results speak for themselves, and it is clear to see that wine has become an inseparable part of Italian culture as a result of its abundance and brilliance. Each village, city and region has a local wine perfectly matched with the cuisine of the area, and not an evening passes without the vast majority of Italian families raising a glass of locally sourced wine with pride and pleasure.