Climate

The 2023 growing season will be remembered for wet weather beginning as early as bud break.

Lower temperatures were recorded in the month of April that delayed vine growth. A significant number of rainy days affected the area from the beginning of May onwards resulting in a delay in flowering, which took place the second week of June.

Hot and dry weather arrived in July and August reversing the initial delay and speeding up the growth cycle. The vines also benefitted from good groundwater reserves that ensured optimal cluster development.

The grape harvest took place later compared to the 2022 season: operations began at the beginning of September in the early ripening vineyards and were completed at the end of September in the later-ripening parcels.

Fermentation and Aging

Freshly harvested Vermentino grapes were destemmed, crushed, and gently pressed. The must was chilled to a temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) to favor natural settling and clarification. It was then transferred into stainless steel vats where alcoholic fermentation took place at a temperature that did not exceed 17 °C (63 °F). The wine was aged in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature of 10 °C (50 °F) up until bottling which took place mid-November 2023.

Tasting Notes

Santa Cristina Vermentino is straw yellow in color with light green hues. The nose expresses intense aromas of pineapples and grapefruits together with hints of rose petals and aromatic herbs. The palate is balanced, rounded and savory with pleasant freshness and a light aftertaste of citrus fruit.