Venica Ronco Bernizza Chardonnay 2024

Venica Ronco Bernizza Chardonnay 2024 is a refined expression of Friulian Chardonnay, crafted in the cool hills of Collio in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. This is not your typical oak-heavy Chardonnay, but a precise, mineral-driven white that balances ripe fruit with vibrant freshness. It’s a compelling choice for those who enjoy Burgundy-style elegance with an unmistakable Italian character. Sourced from the historic Ronco Bernizza vineyard, this wine showcases Chardonnay’s finesse on marl and sandstone soils (“ponca”) that are unique to the region. Venica focuses on purity and texture rather than heavy oak, creating a wine with clear terroir imprint and superb drinkability. The estate has been a benchmark in Friuli since the mid‑20th century, helping to establish the area as one of Italy’s finest sources of premium white wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Venica Ronco Bernizza Chardonnay 2024 typically shows a bright straw-yellow colour with hints of green at the rim, signaling its youth and freshness. The nose is pure and inviting, opening with notes of ripe pear, Golden Delicious apple, white peach and lemon zest, layered with subtle floral tones of acacia and chamomile. Gentle hints of almond, wet stone and a delicate creamy nuance add complexity without dominating the fruit. On the palate, the wine is medium-bodied, sleek and finely textured, with a lively backbone of acidity that keeps everything perfectly in balance. Flavours of orchard and stone fruit are joined by citrus, a touch of white melon, and a savoury, almost saline minerality that reflects the Collio hills. The finish is long, clean and subtly nutty, with a pleasant, mouthwatering grip. While delicious now in its youthful, vibrant phase, this Chardonnay has the structure to develop additional complexity over the next 3–5 years, gaining more honeyed and toasty notes while maintaining its freshness.

Production
Ronco Bernizza comes from hillside vineyards in the Collio area of Friuli-Venezia Giulia, where vines grow on classic “ponca” soils—a mix of layered marl and sandstone that naturally limits yields and enhances aromatic intensity. The climate is tempered by both the Adriatic Sea and the nearby Julian Alps, creating warm days and cool nights that favour slow, even ripening and excellent acidity. Grapes are typically harvested by hand to ensure careful selection of healthy, perfectly ripe clusters. In the cellar, Venica uses gentle pressing and a controlled, temperature‑regulated fermentation to preserve the grape’s delicate aromatics. A portion of the wine may be aged on fine lees, sometimes partly in large or neutral oak and partly in stainless steel, to build texture and complexity while keeping the style crisp, precise and terroir-driven.

Food & Serving
This Chardonnay is a versatile partner at the table, shining with a wide range of refined dishes. It pairs beautifully with seafood such as grilled prawns, seared scallops, branzino, or seafood risotto, and works equally well with poultry, veal scaloppine, and creamy pasta with mushrooms or light cheeses. It’s also a fine match for sushi, vegetable-based starters and delicate egg dishes. Serve at 10–12°C to highlight its fresh, mineral profile; slightly warmer (around 12°C) will bring out additional texture and complexity. Decanting is not essential, but opening the bottle 15–20 minutes before serving or giving it a quick splash in a carafe can help the aromas fully unfold.

Producer
Venica & Venica is a family-run estate founded in 1930 in the heart of Collio, one of Italy’s most celebrated white-wine regions in Friuli-Venezia Giulia. Over several generations, the Venica family has been instrumental in elevating Friuli’s reputation for high-quality, terroir-focused whites, particularly from local varieties and carefully selected international grapes like Chardonnay. The winery is known for its meticulous vineyard management, sustainable practices and precise, expressive winemaking. Venica’s wines regularly receive high scores and international recognition, positioning the estate as a reference point for elegant, ageworthy whites from northeastern Italy.

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