Chiarandà DOP 2022 is a distinctive, characterful white wine from
Contessa Entellina DOC in
south-western Sicily, crafted by
Donnafugata from the international grape variety
Chardonnay. It is regarded as one of the estate’s flagship whites, combining intense Mediterranean expression with depth, structure, and ageing potential. The grapes are grown on limestone- and clay-rich soils in the Contessa Entellina estate and surrounding areas, where warm, dry summers and mild winters provide ideal conditions for Chardonnay, delivering balanced fruit and a pronounced mineral character. Ageing takes place through a
combination of stainless steel and oak (barriques), followed by extended bottle maturation, adding further harmony and complexity.
In the glass, Chardonnay shows a bright straw-yellow colour with subtle golden reflections. The nose is intense and multi-layered, opening with citrus notes and ripe yellow fruit, supported by Mediterranean herbs and refined hints of toasted hazelnut and vanilla, shaped by the long ageing process. The aromatic profile is deep, expressive, and elegant.
On the palate, Chiarandà DOP 2022 is broad and structured, with pleasantly noticeable acidity and a harmonious balance between fruit, spice, and mineral freshness. The texture is rich yet refined, carried by a salty, mineral edge that supports a long, nuanced finish. Overall, this Chardonnay feels powerful, complex, and long-lived—an impressive white wine with real presence and precision.
