producer’s vintage notes

colour: straw yellow with green hues

nose: intense, elegant, persistent with notes of white flowers, golden apple, chive and minerals
taste: well-structured, fragrant and a pleasingly long, round savoury finish

food pairings: spaghetti with fruits of the sea, swordfish carpaccio, veal tartar

“Snow has finally fallen. The earlier part of the year has seen rain and snow, which piled up to a height of 60cm among the vineyards of Langhe. March has not experienced rain and temperatures have always settled above average, prompting an early start of vegetation. Such conditions led us to expect another early and hot vintage, but we would be proven wrong.

Spring has brought the precious and long-awaited rain. Temperatures remained below average until the end of May, slowing down the vine’s vegetative development.

In mid-May, the vintage seemed to be a late one: the vines were growing slowly, temperatures were quite low during the night and the wind was always cold.

June marked the beginning of a long, hot (but not torrid ) and dry summer that lasted until September, which has been characterized by mild temperatures during the day.

The first two weeks of August were dedicated to the thinning of the most lush vineyards. Harvest was carried out during the usual period, yielding healthy and outstandingly ripe grapes. The Cortese grapes grown in the area of Gavi were harvested from September 18-26. Despite the significant climatic changes (early vegetation, late frost, drought), the 2021 vintage has been a surprising one thanks to the vine’s resilience. We harvested very healthy and perfectly ripe grapes characterized by outstanding balance. The white wines reveal an impressive bouquet, excellent
structure, harmony and personality: characteristics indicating a remarkable longevity.”
Stefano Chiarlo, winemaker

grape variety: cortese
municipality: Gavi

vineyard: Rovereto

soil: dark red clay marl with the presence of stone
vineyard exposure: southeast

harvest: manual harvest, preceded by summer thinning of excess bunches of grape
vinification: a portion of the grapes are subjected to cold pressing to obtain
the perfect expression of the specific aromas. Soft pressing and fermentation at a
temperature between 16 and 18°C.

refinement: aged for at least 5 months with its yeast in steel tanks before refinement in the bottle

About Michele Chiarlo Winery

Since 1956, Michele Chiarlo has been making wine the essence of Piedmont, loving and valuing the most incredible wine-growing area in the world. We cultivate 110 hectares of vineyards between Langhe, Monferrato and Gavi, the best crus in full compliance with strict ecological criteria, the terroir and their expressions.

Michele, Stefano and Alberto Chiarlo continue to work following the tradition of a family winery with an international flavor. Attention to details, maniacal care of the vineyards, vinification in respect of the terroir and vines, craftsmanship of the work. Characteristics that make Michele Chiarlo one of the most important wineries in Piedmont, which believes exclusively in native vines and continues to invest in them.

The 55-acre Tenuta Aluffi is one of the most prestigious estates in the southern part of Asti, near the town of Nizza Monferrato, a choice area for exceptional-quality Barbera. Within Aluffi is the La Court estate, with excellent soils of magnesium-rich calcareous marl and a beneficial south-southwest exposure. This jewel of vineyard land receives the fastidious attention of the Chiarlo family so that its old vines produce extraordinary grapes. Following fermentation in large oak casks, the wine is aged in oak for a minimum of 12 months.

The hillside of Rovereto has always been considered the historic Great Cru of Gavi, in the municipality of Gavi, and its overall extension is important (approx. 60 hectares). Its toponym may derive from the presence of ancient oak forests whose leaves have and unmistakeable shape and the clay soil which is rich in iron. The microclimate is unique due to the sea breezes and the nearby Apennine mountains.

Our Rovereto Gavi comes from vineyards with an average of 25 years in age.