According to Gianluca Grasso, it’s all about the soil. He insists that the winemaking has minimal effect; it’s that sandy, calcareous soil of Monforte that is responsible for his world-class wines. He may be a bit humble-- it takes a steady hand to tame this wild fruit. Winemaking techniques certainly run the gamut in Barolo — from fleshy, dark, modern-style wines to more aromatically-driven, earthy, tannic examples. Often, the best wines are somewhere in the middle, and no producer in the region seems to find a better marriage of elegant aromatics and lush, powerful fruit than Gianluca and his father Elio.

In 1986, Elio decided to plant a small section of his vineyard to Chardonnay with a design to "educate" the grapes to showcase the terroir of Monforte d'Alba. In 1990 they released their first vintage, and we would say the the Chardonnay has indeed learned to express the terroir. Grasso's "Educato" Chardonnay is fermented and aged in French oak barriques. The wine still maintains an elegant and sharp acidity to buttress ripe tree fruits and a creamy mouthfeel. Enjoy this Chardonnay with fuller flavored fish but also with roast chicken or grilled pork.