Castello di Roncade, Bianco dell'Arnasa Chardonnay, 2022

The white wines of the Cote de Beaune are known for their fleshy, oaky, almost tropical notes. Big and flavoursome, they're a world away from steely Chablis.

I think this is a pretty wonderful Italian alternative to the Cote de Beaune giants.

Castello di Roncade's Bianco dell'Arnasa was born in Veneto, in the vineyards of the Renaissance castle, owned by the Ciani Bassetti barons, who took over the property at the beginning of the twentieth century.

The 100% Chardonnay grapes are destemmed and crushed, to then be softly pressed. This is followed by cold decantation of the must and the start of fermentation by inoculation of selected yeasts. The wine then ages in French oak tonneaux.