Chardonnay (2022) - Les Crêtes

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In the picturesque setting of the Aosta Valley, the Les Crêtes winery has turned the challenges of mountain country into a unique opportunity for winegrowing. Founded by the Charrère family, this estate is an example of how passion and innovation can live alongside tradition. One curious anecdote concerns their decision to grow Chardonnay: in the 80s, when the family decided to plant this international variety, many were sceptical. Yet the particular microclimate of the Media Valle has given their Chardonnay a distinctive personality, showing that remarkable results can be achieved even at high altitude.

Chardonnay (2022) - Les Crêtes

Type: Vino Bianco

Area: Italy, Valle d'Aosta, Media Valle

Appellation: Valle d'Aosta DOC

Grape variety: Chardonnay

Vintage: 2022

Winery: Les Crêtes

Alcohol: 13%

The appellation: Valle d'Aosta DOC

Valle d’Aosta DOC is the only regional appellation of the whole Aosta Valley and one of the smallest, highest and most fascinating in Italy. Established in 1985, it covers the entire regional territory and includes an extraordinary variety of native grape varieties, many of them unique in the world, grown in an extreme mountain setting, often terraced and difficult to work.

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What to eat with Chardonnay

Who makes it: Les Crêtes

Founded in 1989, Les Crêtes is a wine estate in the heart of the Aosta Valley, a mountain area that offers unique conditions for winegrowing. With a strong focus on quality and sustainability, the winery produces wines that express the authenticity and the richness of the Alpine landscape. Les Crêtes is known for its production of wines from native varieties, including Petit Rouge and Fumin, which perfectly represent the character of the land. Every wine tells a story, that of vineyards farmed with passion and dedication, in an environment that defies convention.

The vine of Chardonnay

Chardonnay

Chardonnay is one of the most widely planted and prestigious white grape varieties in the world, originally from Burgundy, in France. Thanks to its great adaptability to different climates and soils, Chardonnay is grown in many wine regions, expressing unique characteristics according to the terroir and the winemaking style.

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Chardonnay: the Media Valle area

Media Valle

The Media Valle is one of the most fascinating wine areas in the Aosta Valley, with a unique mountain landscape and a winemaking tradition whose roots go far back. This area, set among the Alps, offers a microclimate that suits vine growing, thanks to the shelter of the surrounding mountains and to soils rich in minerals. The wines made in this area are the result of a perfect balance between nature and human input, with a strong focus on quality and sustainability.

Climate: Alpine

Altitude: Mid Altitude (500-800 m above sea level)

Soil: Limestone / chalk

Geographical setting: Valley

Profile of Chardonnay

Primary aromas: White flowers, White fruit

Secondary aromas: mineral notes

Tasting notes: An elegant Chardonnay with notes of white fruit and a mineral touch. Fresh and well balanced.

Sulphites	yes
Body	Fresh
Acidity	Medium-high
Tannin	Absent
Sweetness	Dry
Finish	Media
Colour	Pale straw yellow
Clarity	Clear

Winemaking methods used for Chardonnay

Stainless steel winemaking for freshness and aromas

Stainless steel winemaking is a modern, versatile technique, particularly prized for producing fresh, aromatic and lively wines. Thanks to the use of stainless steel tanks, fermentation takes place in a neutral, controlled environment, preserving the primary characteristics of the grape variety and of the terroir as fully as possible. This approach makes it possible to obtain wines that clearly express their varietal personality and a pleasant lightness. What is Stainless Steel Winemaking? Stainless steel winemaking involves the use of stainless steel tanks during alcoholic fermentation and, often, during ageing as well. These vessels guarantee a hygienic, controlled environment, free from outside influences that might alter the aromatic profile of the wine. What is more, precise temperature control helps develop fresh, fruity aromas, avoiding oxidation or unwanted fermentations. Advantages of Stainless Steel Winemaking Preserving freshness: the primary aromas of the grape variety remain intact. Temperature control: it allows slow, steady fermentations, bringing out the aromas and the structure. Aromatic purity: stainless steel adds no outside flavours, guaranteeing an authentic product. Stages of Stainless Steel Winemaking 1. Harvest and Pressing The grapes are picked at the right degree of ripeness and gently pressed to obtain a clean, high-quality must. 2. Settling the Must The must is clarified to remove any solid residues, ensuring a clean fermentation. 3. Fermentation in Stainless Steel Fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks, with strict temperature control (generally between 10°C and 18°C for whites and rosés). 4. Stabilisation After fermentation, the wine is left to rest in the tanks to refine and stabilise, before bottling. Characteristics of the Resulting Wines Colour Whites: bright straw yellow with greenish highlights. Rosés: delicate tones of pale pink or salmon. Light reds: pale ruby red with lively transparency. Aromas Fruity: notes of citrus, peach, green apple and berries. Floral: hints of white flowers, violets or dog rose. Mineral: fresh, saline nuances, typical of certain terroirs. Taste Fresh and lively: with balanced acidity and a light body. Harmonious: perfect for drinking young and informally. Grape Varieties Ideal for Stainless Steel Winemaking White Grape Varieties Vermentino: perfect for bringing out freshness and minerality. Sauvignon Blanc: aromatic and vibrant, with citrus and tropical fruit notes. Black Grape Varieties Pinot Nero: ideal for rosés and light, elegant reds. Montepulciano: perfect for fresh, fruity rosés. Why Choose a Wine Made in Stainless Steel? A wine made in stainless steel is the essence of freshness and varietal purity, perfect for anyone looking for intense aromas, liveliness and lightness. Ideal for aperitifs, light dishes and convivial moments, these wines are a true tribute to nature and to the quality of the grapes.

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Ageing methods used for Chardonnay

In stainless steel

Ageing in stainless steel is a winemaking practice aimed at preserving the freshness, aromatic integrity and varietal purity of the wine. It is used above all for white, rosé and young red wines, but also for light, easy-drinking reds that do not require maturation in wood. Stainless steel vessels are inert and impermeable to oxygen, so they do not interact with the wine: this makes it possible to bring out the fruity, floral and mineral component of the grape and of the terroir.

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Time on the lees for Chardonnay

No contact with the lees