di Lenardo Vineyards 'Monovitigno' Chardonnay, Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy

From the cool Alpine foothills of northeastern Italy comes a Chardonnay with an unusually expressive personality. The 2025 di Lenardo Vineyards 'Monovitigno' Chardonnay is produced entirely from the rare Chardonnay Musqué clone, a distinctive selection celebrated for its naturally floral, fruit-forward aromatics. Grown in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where Alpine air meets the moderating influence of the Adriatic Sea, this wine showcases an intriguing combination of elderflower, orchard fruit, exotic tropical notes, and supple texture. Fermented entirely in stainless steel and matured on its fine lees, it captures the aromatic complexity of the Musqué clone without the influence of oak. First produced in 1993, this distinctive bottling demonstrates just how captivating Chardonnay can be when the grape's own character takes center stage.

Product Details:

• Producer: di Lenardo Vineyards
• Wine: 'Monovitigno' Chardonnay
• Vintage: 2025
• Appellation: IGT Venezia Giulia
• Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay, exclusively Musqué clone
• Alcohol: 12.5% ABV (producer technical specification)
• First Vintage: 1993
• Vine Training: Lateral Guyot
• Harvest & Pressing: Whole berries gently pressed using a pneumatic press
• Must Clarification: Modern flotation-based clarification system
• Fermentation: Temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks at approximately 15°C (59°F)
• Malolactic Fermentation: Completed, according to the supplied 2025 vintage information
• Lees Aging: Approximately three months on fine lees with frequent bâtonnage (lees stirring)
• Oak Aging: None; stainless steel fermentation and maturation
• Bottling: Bottled under vacuum, followed by at least two months of cellar rest
• Annual Production: Approximately 60,000 bottles
• Closure: DIAM composite cork or STELVIN screwcap, depending on bottling
• Drinking Window: Enjoy young or within approximately five years of vintage

Sensory Description:

The 2025 'Monovitigno' Chardonnay offers an unusually aromatic expression of this familiar white grape. The Musqué clone contributes distinctive floral notes of elderflower and fresh blossoms, accompanied by ripe apple, banana, and suggestions of exotic tropical fruit. On the palate, stainless steel fermentation preserves the purity of the fruit, while extended contact with fine lees and completed malolactic fermentation contribute a rounded, gently creamy texture. The combination creates a wine that balances aromatic intensity with freshness and a supple mouthfeel. Its expressive fruit and floral character remain the focus, unmasked by oak, with lees-derived richness providing depth and an elegant, satisfying finish.

Producer’s Background:

Located in Ontagnano, in Italy's northeastern Friuli-Venezia Giulia region, di Lenardo Vineyards has developed a distinctive approach to winemaking that emphasizes expressive fruit, careful vineyard selection, and precise cellar techniques. The estate benefits from the region's unusual geography, situated between the foothills of the Alps and the Adriatic Sea. These influences help moderate growing conditions and contribute to the freshness and aromatic definition associated with Friulian white wines.

One of the winery's most intriguing achievements is its commitment to the Chardonnay Musqué clone. According to di Lenardo, it is the only winery in Friuli using exclusively Musqué-clone vines for its Chardonnay. Unlike more commonly encountered Chardonnay selections, Musqué possesses naturally heightened floral and exotic-fruit characteristics, including elderflower, apple, and banana. Rather than relying on oak maturation to create complexity, di Lenardo uses cool stainless steel fermentation, extended fine-lees contact, and careful temperature management to preserve the clone's distinctive personality.

Introduced with the 1993 vintage, 'Monovitigno' has become an enduring expression of the winery's philosophy. Even its name, meaning "single grape variety," reflects the intention to showcase Chardonnay in a particularly pure and individual form. With approximately 60,000 bottles produced annually, this is a thoughtfully crafted wine whose distinctive character comes from the vineyard and the careful handling of an uncommon Chardonnay selection.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve at approximately 54°F (12°C) in a standard white wine glass, allowing its expressive floral aromatics to develop as the wine warms slightly. The combination of fresh fruit, rounded texture, and aromatic intensity makes it especially versatile with food. Pair with roasted chicken breast, turkey, pork loin, halibut, trout, cod, salmon, lobster, crab, scallops, shrimp, or delicate shellfish preparations. Soft cow's milk cheeses and fresh goat cheese complement its gentle creaminess, while roasted zucchini, yellow squash, peas, asparagus, mushrooms, chanterelles, and almond-based dishes highlight its floral and savory dimensions. Particularly appealing alongside lightly prepared seafood or poultry, this is a Chardonnay that rewards thoughtful food pairing while remaining wonderfully expressive on its own.