Antinori - Castello della Sala : Cervaro della Sala 2024

Characteristics and tasting advice for the Cervaro della Sala 2024 d'Antinori - Castello della Sala

Tasting

Appearance
The wine reveals a clear straw-yellow color, enhanced by delicate pale green highlights.

Nose
Beautifully complex, the nose opens with citrus aromas reminiscent of pink grapefruit, intertwined with floral notes of chamomile and elderflower. Subtle hints of vanilla and custard then emerge, underscored by a distinctive minerality evoking flint.

Palate
Focused and elegant, the palate offers bright acidity and a flavorful texture. It reveals notes of toasted almonds, white pepper, and ginger, all carried by remarkable freshness that gives the wine precise balance and great vitality.

Food and wine pairings

This white wine pairs wonderfully with raw fish tartare, seafood, or grilled fish. It also complements light poultry, veal with tuna sauce, refined truffle dishes, as well as blue cheeses.

Serving and cellaring

For optimal tasting, it is recommended to serve the Cervaro della Sala 2024 at a temperature between 50 and 54°F (10–12°C). Decanting is generally not necessary. With excellent aging potential, this wine is built to evolve in the cellar for several decades.

The elegance and mineral complexity of a white wine from Umbria

The estate

While the medieval fortress was built in 1350 in Umbria, the estate’s winemaking history truly began with its acquisition in 1940 by the renowned Antinori family. Today, for the first time in twenty-six generations, Antinori - Castello della Sala is led by women: Albiera Antinori, supported by her sisters Allegra and Alessia. Combining sustainable practices with respect for the terroir, the estate stands as a benchmark on the global stage, recognized for its excellence and innovative spirit in white wine production.

The vineyard

Covering 229 hectares of vines in the heart of the Umbria region, the vineyard sits at altitudes ranging from 220 to 470 meters. The vines benefit from eastern and southeastern exposures, promoting ideal ripening thanks to excellent temperature variations between day and night. The soils, rich in marine fossils dating back to the Pliocene era, are mainly composed of clay and limestone, giving the grapes a unique minerality. The estate is managed using sustainable agricultural practices, preserving local biodiversity and water resources.

The vintage

The year began with a mild winter accompanied by normal rainfall, allowing for good water reserves. The moderately rainy spring maintained these favorable conditions. The growing cycle concluded under the best auspices, with grapes harvested in impeccable health. Chardonnay was picked from the third ten-day period of August, followed by Grechetto in mid-September.

Winemaking and aging

After a short four-hour skin maceration, the Chardonnay is transferred by gravity for natural clarification. Alcoholic and malolactic fermentations then take place in French oak barrels. Meanwhile, the Grechetto is vinified separately in stainless steel tanks to preserve its freshness. After approximately five months, the two grape varieties are blended. The Cervaro della Sala 2024 then benefits from several months of bottle aging in the castle’s historic cellars, located thirty meters underground.

Grape varieties

This Cervaro della Sala 2024 d'Antinori - Castello della Sala is made from a blend of Chardonnay and Grechetto.