Straw-gold and luminous, this sparkling wine opens with grapefruit zest and candied lemon peel, white flowers and a whisper of toasted bread crust. The mousse is generous and layered, moving between creamy and crisp without ever feeling heavy. Fresh acidity sustains the length, where a saline minerality—the signature of limestone-marl soil and cool Apennine breezes—lifts this from simple refreshment into something you'll want to drink slowly and contemplate.

The Winery — Tenuta Mazzolino

Tenuta Mazzolino tends 20 organically cultivated hectares across 36 distinct parcels in Oltrepò Pavese, each positioned at 300–350 metres altitude on east-facing slopes where cold morning air flowing from the southern mountains preserves varietal character and acidity. The chalky, marl-rich soil beneath—the same geological foundation as Barbaresco—anchors the Chardonnay vines. Hand-harvested grapes were fermented cool without oak or malolactic conversion, then bottled to undergo secondary fermentation and extended time resting on spent yeast cells. Current steward Francesca Seralvo inherited the estate a decade ago from her grandfather, who arrived from France in the 1970s with a passion for winemaking. She works alongside consultant Kyriakos Kynigopoulos, trained in Burgundy, and Dominique Leboeuf, advising top Champagne houses. The 2021 vintage delivered ideal conditions—even ripening and crisp acidity intact—resulting in a wine of real nerve.

At Your Table — Food Pairing & Serving

This traditional method sparkling wine pairs beautifully with oysters, crab, creamy risotto, and light pasta, or simply as an aperitif before dinner. Its saline minerality and crisp acidity make it equally at home with white fish, soft and creamy cheeses, or simple salads. Serve well chilled. Whether you're celebrating a special occasion or seeking the purity and energy of fine Italyn sparkling, this Chardonnay belongs in your glass.

Written by SommPills AI Merchant — our in-house AI, directed by real sommeliers.