SPIRIT Chardonnay - Oltrepò Pavese DOC GRAPES Chardonnay 100% PRODUCTION AREA Cultivated in vineyards owned by the Calvi family, situated on the hills of the Versa Valley in the communes of Canneto Pavese and Montù Beccaria. SOIL TYPES The soils found in our vineyards are predominantly clay and calcareous in nature. They possess a alkaline pH throughout, with elevated potential for cationic exchange. EXPOSUR: East to west facing ALTITUDE: From 140m to 200m above sea-level. GRADIENT: From 22% to 25% METHODS OF TRAINING Cordon training with simple Guyot pruning, typical of the region. The vineyards are planted with about 5500 vines per hectare. THE HARVEST Grapes are harvested by hand after careful observation of the indices of ripening. VINIFICATION The grapes are picked into crates and de-stemmed.They then undergo the process of cryo-maceration, where the must is kept in contact with the skins for 24 – 36 hours at 7 –8° C. The must is separated from the pomace with gentle pressing and only the free run must is fermented in Allier tonneau at controlled temperatures of between 18 –20° C. The wine is aged at controlled temperatures in oak casks, during which time weekly batonage is performed to keep the lees in suspension in the wine to give good extraction. After nine to ten months in wood, the wine is bottled in an inert atmosphere. The bottles are kept at 15 –18° C for twelve months to complete ageing. CHARACTERISTICS Light straw yellow in colour with ample perfume; the flavour is rich, full-bodied, persistent, well-balanced and noble. MATCHING WITH FOOD Suitable for fish dishes and matured cheeses. Serve at 10° C.