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The 50th vintage of the first white wine in Italy aged in barriques has been presented by Marchesi Frescobaldi. The Chardonnay "Benefizio" was first produced in 1973. The grapes come from a single vineyard at the Castello Pomino estate in Tuscany. As early as 1855, the great-great-grandmother of the current owner, Lamberto Frescobaldi, decided to focus on Burgundy varieties, especially Chardonnay. Leonia degli Albizi had thoroughly studied the terroir of Pomino beforehand. In 1973, his uncle Leonardo decided to vinify a pure, barrel-aged Chardonnay from there.
The vines grow at over 700 meters above sea level on predominantly sandy soils, which also contain clay, marl, limestone, and slate. From Castello Pomino, the Apennine mountain range can be seen. The climate is relatively cool even in summer, with significant day-night temperature fluctuations. Snow often falls in winter. Pomino received the controlled designation of origin (DOC) in 1983 as one of the first regions in Tuscany.
The newly released "Benefizio" from the 2023 anniversary vintage was fermented in equal parts in new and used barriques. Part of the wine underwent malolactic fermentation. It then matured in wooden barrels on the full lees with regular bâtonnage.
(al / Source: Press release)