In the glass
Aroma: ripe peach, toast, vanilla, tropical fruit
Palate: rich stone fruit, creamy texture, toasted oak, long
Rapitala Grand Cru is the estate's flagship Chardonnay: a full barrique-fermented Sicilian Chardonnay from the Camporeale hillside estate combining tropical fruit richness with a toasty-creamy Burgundian framework.
What it pairs with
-
Risotto ai funghi porcini
The wine's creamy, toasty depth complements rich mushroom risotto. -
Grilled lobster
Full-bodied barrique Chardonnay is the classical match for grilled lobster. -
Veal with cream and morels
Vanilla-toast notes and rich body pair seamlessly with cream-based veal.
How to serve Rapitala Grand Cru
Allow 35 minutes from open to pour.
- Open and decant. Open 30 minutes before serving and pour into a decanter to aerate.
- Serve at 10-12°C. Cellar temperature (10-12°C) is the band for this style. Warmer pushes alcohol forward; colder dampens aromatics.
- Glassware. Use a medium-sized white-wine glass: the bowl shape rewards the wine's structure.
- Pair with. Risotto ai funghi porcini, Grilled lobster, Veal with cream and morels. Match the wine's structure to the dish's fat and salt.
History
Rapitala was established in the Sicilian hinterland of Camporeale in 1968 through a partnership between Count Hugues de la Gatinais and the Guarrasi family. Grand Cru was developed as their prestige Chardonnay, bearing the name influenced by the Burgundian classification despite having no official Italian Grand Cru status.
- 1968 — Tenuta Rapitala established by Franco-Sicilian partnership in Camporeale
- 1990 — Grand Cru Chardonnay developed as prestige flagship white
Facts
- Producer
- Tenuta Rapitala
- Grapes
- Chardonnay (100%)
- Classification
- Sicilia DOC
- Oak
- Fermented and aged in new French barriques, 8-10 months with batonnage
- ABV
- 14.0%
- Price
- EUR 22-35 at retail
- Drinking window
- 3-8 from vintage
- First vintage
- 1990
Frequently asked about Rapitala Grand Cru
What does Rapitala Grand Cru taste like?
On the nose, ripe peach, toast, vanilla, tropical fruit. On the palate, rich stone fruit, creamy texture, toasted oak, long. Structurally full-bodied, low tannins, medium acidity with a long, toasty finish. Rapitala Grand Cru is the estate's flagship Chardonnay: a full barrique-fermented Sicilian Chardonnay from the Camporeale hillside estate combining tropical fruit richness with a toasty-creamy Burgundian framework.
When should I drink Rapitala Grand Cru?
Drink 3-8 from vintage. Young vintages benefit from 30-90 minutes of decanting; mature bottles should be handled carefully for sediment.
What food pairs with Rapitala Grand Cru?
Risotto ai funghi porcini is the canonical pairing. Other strong matches include Grilled lobster and Veal with cream and morels. The wine's creamy, toasty depth complements rich mushroom risotto.
What grapes are in Rapitala Grand Cru?
The blend is Chardonnay (100%). The wine is classified as Sicilia DOC.