Langhe DOC Chardonnay “Bussiador” 2020 – Poderi Aldo Conterno

The grapes to produce the Langhe DOC Chardonnay “Bussiador” Poderi Aldo Conterno were hand harvested in the first 10 days of September and were then fermented for four days in temperature-controlled, stainless-steel tanks at 20-24ºC. The must was then racked into French oak barriques to complete its fermentation. After racking, the wine was matured in the same oak barriques for several months. Finally, it was aged in bottle for a year before release.

The Poderi Aldo Conterno estate covers 25 hectares of vineyard, primarily on the hill of Bussia in Monforte d’Alba, in the heart of Barolo. The vineyards are situated at 100 metres above sea level, on soils consisting of calcareous marl and layers of sand. The Chardonnay is grown on an area of about three hectares.

Aldo Conterno is one of the historic names of Italian wine. The Conterno family has been making wine in Monforte d’Alba since at least the 1700s. Aldo’s grandfather, Giovanni Conterno, founded his own winery in 1908, which was later run by his son Giacomo. After a stint in the USA in the 1950s, Aldo worked with his older brother Giovanni in that winery until he decided to strike out on his own in 1969. Aldo’s three sons now make the wine (Stefano) and run the business (Franco and Giacomo). Over the years, production has been deliberately reduced in order to increase quality. From the same 25 hectares of 60-year-old vines, the family now produces 80,000 bottles rather than the 180,000 made in 1998. This intensity shines through in the wines.