NV Bellavista Franciacorta Brut 'Alma' 375mL

86% Chardonnay, 13% Pinot Noir, 1% Pinot Blanc, all organically farmed and hand harvested from 30 year old vines. Made in the Champagne method. About 20% of the wine was fermented in barrel, and a quarter of the overall blend comes from reserve wines. Aged on the lees and hand riddled for 30 months before disgorgement. Dosage is a low 2 g/L, meaning this is technically Extra Brut. 12.5% alcohol. 

This excellent sparkler from the rolling foothills of the Italian Alps gives Champagne a run for its money. A subtle streak of salinity framing flavors of poached white cherry, yellow plum, Meyer lemon peel and ginger, plus a touch of toasted brioche. Hints of smoke, oyster shell and spices play on the lingering finish.

Bellavista, meaning ‘beautiful view’ in Italian, was founded by Vittorio Moretti in the early 1970s, with the first vintage produced in 1979. In 1981, he met a young winemaker, Mattia Vezzola and this partnership transformed Bellavista into Italy’s leading producer of quality sparkling wine. The Bellavista winery has played a critical role in transforming the region into one of Italy’s most famous DOCGs. In 1984 he produced his first sparkling wine, and today he manages a 500 acre wine estate comprised of 107 different, organically farmed vineyard parcels. As in Champagne, grapes from diverse parcels are blended together to create a house style that remains consistant constant over time. Winemaker Mattia Vezzola uses the metodo clasico (similar to the methode champenoise) to produce several vintage and non-vintage sparkling wines.