Chardonnay

Each label from the Venica & Venica winery is a chapter in the story of a family of winemakers who, for four generations, have invested in the land, ensuring that the roots and identity of the place are preserved and passed down. Thus, Venica's Chardonnay also contributes to the beauty and diversity of the Collio.

For the Venica family, being stewards of the land is a mission that goes beyond wine production; it is a special responsibility, a deep commitment to preserve and enhance the connection with the history and the local community. A promise that renews itself day by day and that each wine tells, year after year.

Ronco Bernizza and the spirit of the place.

Ronco Bernizza, a local toponym, is a vineyard nestled in the midst of the forest, symbolizing unity and encounter: it celebrates the bond between people and narrates the magic of vineyards embraced by the woods.

Furthermore, Chardonnay Ronco Bernizza is one of the ambassadors of the "Wines as an expression of the land" project: wines produced from grapes grown in a special and specific area of the Collio. Over the years, the Venica family has identified exclusive and distinctive zones where the soil and climatic conditions create ideal conditions for producing wines with unique personalities. Wines, as the Venica family likes to remind, that reveal the "spirit of the place."

Ronco Bernizza e lo spirito del luogo.

Ronco Bernizza, toponimo di zona, è un vigneto incastonato in mezzo al bosco simbolo di unione e di incontro: celebra il legame tra le persone e racconta la magia dei vigneti abbracciati dal bosco.

Lo Chardonnay Ronco Bernizza, inoltre, è uno dei portavoce del progetto “Vini espressione della terra”: vini prodotti a partire da uve coltivate in una speciale e specifica area del Collio. La famiglia Venica ha infatti individuato, nel corso degli anni, zone esclusive e peculiari, dove il terreno e le condizioni climatiche creano i presupposti ideali per la produzione di vini dalla personalità unica. Vini, come ai Venica piace ricordare, che rivelano lo “spirito del luogo”.

Il legame quasi centenario della famiglia con il Collio si traduce in una profonda conoscenza delle caratteristiche del suolo, del clima e di come le esposizioni caratterizzino le uve, che consente di creare vini che riflettono autenticamente il terroir, portando avanti la tradizione vinicola della famiglia e della regione. Così, anche lo Chardonnay diventa un vino rappresentativo, dei Venica e del Collio, e con un bouquet complesso e accademico.

The origins of Chardonnay

Chardonnay, one of the great noble vines, has its history in the Burgundy region of France. It is thought that its cultivation dates back to the Roman period, but the first documented traces attest to it in Burgundy since the early Middle Ages, when it was cultivated in the monasteries of the area. Passing through the care of the Cistercian monks of the Abbey of Pontigny, it then spread almost everywhere in the world.

What is certain is that this grape variety thrives in clayey soils, and in Burgundy, Chardonnay, named after the village of Mâconnais, has found an exceptional terroir to express its unique character. The cool climate and limestone soil have indeed favored the production of wines characterized by olfactory complexity, lively acidity, and aging potential.

Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco.

For a long time, Chardonnay was confused with Pinot Bianco, but genetic research has shown that Chardonnay is a crossbreed, which may have occurred spontaneously, possibly during the Carolingian period, between Pinot Noir and Gouais Blanc, a grape variety of Slavic origin used for blending in numerous wines.

Gouais Blanc was widely cultivated in France, known for its high yields and late vegetative awakening. This would explain why several grape varieties, including Chardonnay, originated from its crosses with Pinot Noir.

(Source: Enos Costantini, Claudio Mattaloni, Carlo Petrussi, "La vite nella storia e nella cultura del Friuli," Forum edizioni).

From a morphological perspective, Pinot Bianco and Chardonnay certainly resemble each other, but:

Chardonnay buds earlier and has slightly bronzed leaves; The Chardonnay leaf is larger and smoother; Chardonnay clusters are generally smaller than those of Pinot Bianco; Pinot Bianco clusters are more compact, and the skin of the grapes is greenish-white.

(Source: Anna Schneider in "L'angolo della vigna," OICCE TIMES Wine Magazine).

The spread of the grape variety in Italy and in Friuli.

The versatility of this grape variety has led it to spread all over the world. Over the centuries, viticulturists and winemakers have adapted Chardonnay to various climatic conditions and terroirs, giving rise to very different styles of wine. For example, during the 19th and 20th centuries, Chardonnay found a new home in California, where it experienced explosive growth, resulting in wines with a fruity and buttery profile.

Here in Italy, where the grape arrived during the 19th century, Chardonnay wines can vary in personality depending on the regions. In Trentino-Alto Adige and Friuli-Venezia Giulia, for example, they exhibit notes of green apple, pear, and citrus, along with lively acidity and minerality, while in warmer regions like Sicily, tropical notes and fuller-bodied structures stand out.

It wasn't until 1978 that Chardonnay was officially registered under this name in the National Variety Catalog, and in Friuli Venezia Giulia, this variety has been included in the classification since September 1, 1981 (Source: Antonio Calò, Angelo Costacurta, "Delle viti in Friuli," Edizioni Arti Grafiche Friulane).

The emotional nuances of Ronco Bernizza, Chardonnay DOC Collio by Venica & Venica.

If one of the distinctive characteristics of Chardonnay is its ability to express the terroir in which it is grown and vinified, it is the vintners' ability to choose exposures and plots that determine the wines' character, further influenced by the use of wood and malolactic fermentation.

The Ronco Bernizza produced by the Venica family undergoes aging in wooden barrels for approximately 30% of the wine, while the remaining part is refined in steel, maintaining a fresh and enveloping personality and, therefore, a highly territorial profile.

On the nose, the bouquet is notably fruity, with hints of exotic fruit, citrus, pleasant nuances of Mediterranean herbs, and maritime sensations that enliven a body of vibrant freshness, reminiscent of the sea breezes that gently caress the hills of Collio.

The palate is vertical, with a savory finish. It's a broad and complex wine that retains its personality even with aging.

Ronco
Bernizza
Chardonnay

DOC Collio

"Bernizza" is a local toponym; the slope of this hill is considerable, and therefore, in some parts of the vineyard, it was necessary to carry out morphological reshaping to introduce terraced areas in order to make the use of machinery less hazardous.

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Venica&Venica's
Chardonnay

Lo Chardonnay di Venica&Venica

Ronco Bernizza

Chardonnay DOC Collio

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Chardonnay

Ronco Bernizza and the spirit of the place.

Ronco Bernizza e lo spirito del luogo.