Among the vineyards of Novello, in the heart of the Langhe, where the cool morning air still carries the scent of wet earth, comes Raineri’s Langhe DOC Chardonnay, a Piedmontese white wine with remarkable character, born from an artisanal vision that goes against convention. The territory of Novello is celebrated above all for its great age-worthy reds, yet it hides a precious secret linked to its exposure and soil composition. Here, the Sant’Agata marls meet elevations that allow Chardonnay to retain vibrant freshness. The grape is stripped of every commercial artifice to reveal its true structure. Each bunch is selected with almost monastic precision at the beginning of September, when the balance between sugars and acidity is perfect. The grapes travel in small 20-kg baskets to prevent the fruit from being crushed too early. In the cellar, the magic happens through a blend of ancient tradition and modern technique. After pressing and destemming, the must does not end up in cold stainless steel tanks. One part ferments and macerates in amphorae, while the other rests in barriques. This dual approach gives the wine great complexity. Ageing lasts between six and eight months, during which the wine is kept constantly moving. Finally, the wine is bottled without filtration or fining. Deep straw yellow, almost golden in colour, the nose bursts with white flowers before revealing ripe tropical fruits such as pineapple and mango. On the palate it enters rich and warm, immediately balanced by a savoury streak.