Chardonnay has been grown in Franciacorta for some decades now, although it is difficult to pin down the exact date of the introduction of this eminently noble white grape variety. Some producers, who recognised its potential and the qualities of its wine, were likely utilising it already in the early 1950s. It certainly began to be widely planted in Franciacorta around 1950, appearing in vineyards right alongside pinot bianco. This promiscuous planting led to confusion between the two grape varieties, since no one was much concerned with maintaining a clear distinction between the two. But even in those early years, when the nursery operators obtained genetic material for propagating budwood for planting, they were always looking for vines with the best growth characteristics, which meant crop consistency, good cluster formation, high sugar levels, and a golden colour in the skin. That turned out to mean chardonnay. Only in 1963 was a clear distinction drawn between the two varieties, when under the auspices of the Istituto Agrario in San Michele all’Adige, a vineyard was planted 100% to chardonnay, from vines imported from France. That enabled differences between the two grapes to be finally drawn quite clearly. And that process highlighted the superior qualities of chardonnay, which resulted from the grape’s successful adaption to conditions in Franciacorta, where it found a habitat very similar to its original homeland. In 1978, chardonnay was officially listed in the national catalogue of grape varieties, and in 1980 it became authorised and recommended by the province of Brescia. Chardonnay vineyards currently occupy over 2,000 officially-enrolled hectares in Franciacorta, some 80% of its total area.   

The chardonnay vine displays average vigour, and has a light green leaf and a distinctive cluster that is greenish in colour tending to yellow, with average compactness; the grapes have hardy, thick skins. Chardonnay is particularly subject to the Flavescenza dorata disease, which over the last few years has devastated numerous vineyards.  

Chardonnay has pride of place in the base wines for Franciacorta DOCG, but has a much smaller role in the Curtefranca Bianco still wine. Wines from chardonnay display appreciable weight, a bouquet that is intense, fragrant, and complex, with varietal aromas of fruit and flowers, and it exhibits full body and an appealing crispness.