Tagaro Saturnale Chardonnay 2025

Tagaro is a family winery near Fasano in Puglia, and this Chardonnay carries the name Saturnale after the Saturnalia, the midwinter Roman festival of Saturn. Chardonnay is a widely planted grape that takes on the character of its site, and in the warm south of Italy it ripens to a riper, rounder style. The Mediterranean climate brings intense light and heat, while breezes off the nearby Adriatic temper the warmth and keep some freshness in the fruit. The wine is aged for three months on its fine lees, which adds body and a soft creamy texture through gentle autolysis without the weight of new oak. The colour is straw yellow with greenish glints. The nose is fruity and open, with ripe white peach, melon, pear and a squeeze of citrus lifted by white flowers. The palate is medium bodied and rounded, the ripe stone fruit balanced by fresh acidity, finishing clean. At 12 percent it stays approachable and unforced. Serve chilled at 9 to 11 degrees.