Firriato Santagostino Bianco (Cataratto Chardonnay)

Firriato Santagostino Bianco, Cataratto, Chardonnay from Sicily, Italy. A vibrant yellow color typifies this Santagostino that seduces with elegant aromas of peach, almond, melon and pineapple. Buttery notes and a hint of hazelnut provide the finishing touch in a full and balanced structure.
This combination of Catarratto and Chardonnay comes from the Trapani region in western Sicily. The heat there is tempered by the Mediterranean, allowing the grapes to exhibit character without becoming too powerful in the process. Chardonnay is a nice, full-bodied complement to the cattarrato that provides the character of this wine.

Catarratto, a widely planted white grape in Sicily, which can achieve quality if yields are controlled. The name is used for more varieties. In 1990, with some 65,000 hectares, Catarratto was the most planted vine in Italy after Sangiovese. Catarratto was used for Masala, but now the grape is distilled or concentrated. Catarratto plays a major role in Sicilian DOC wines and when vinified well, it produces refreshing and interesting wines.

Chardonnay, the grape of white Burgundy and Champagne, and is grown all over the world. Produces good to very good wine with a full, dry taste. Chardonnay is a grape that does not have a clear character, that depends on the terroir (soil and climate) and the way of making wine. Chardonnay lends itself very well to maturing in wooden barrels.