Alma Assemblage 2 Franciacorta DOCG - Bellavista

In the glass, the Alma Assemblage 2 Franciacorta DOCG - Bellavista shines in a clear, luminous straw yellow with fine, persistent bubbles. The perlage appears silky and creamy, while the foam is dense and elegant. Even with the first swirl, a multilayered bouquet rises, reminiscent of fresh lemon, juicy grapefruit and delicate notes of yellow peach skin.

On the nose, fine hints of brioche, toasted hazelnuts and a touch of white flowers unfold. A mineral undertone recalls wet stone and chalk, lending the aroma precise, cool tension. With a little air, nuances of honeycomb, candied lemon peel and a subtle hint of vanilla emerge.

On the palate, this Franciacorta extra brut is powerful yet finely balanced. Its lively acidity gives the wine freshness and length, while the blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero creates a creamy texture. The flavor is defined by citrus fruit, crisp brioche and pronounced minerality.

The style is clear, precise and taut, with elegantly integrated perlage and fine mousseux. The structure is multilayered, while the body is medium to full without sacrificing finesse. A delicate, almost salty finish emphasizes the character of Lombardy. The tannins from the red grape variety Pinot Nero appear only very subtly, yet give the wine additional grip and structure.

The varietal blend is based predominantly on Chardonnay, complemented by Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero. The Franciacorta region in Lombardy is one of Italy’s most renowned areas for sparkling wine produced using the traditional bottle-fermentation method. The combination of a cool microclimate, refreshing nights and calcareous soils gives the wine clarity, depth and expression.

• Wine color: white, with luminous straw yellow
• Wine type: Franciacorta DOCG, extra brut
• Grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Nero
• Origin: Lombardy, Italy
• Alcohol content: 12.5% by volume
• Residual sugar: 3.3 g/l
• Total acidity: 6.2 g/l
• Award: 92 points, James Suckling

1. Intense citrus aromas with brioche and nutty nuances
2. Creamy perlage and taut, mineral structure
3. Elegant, lingering finish with fine salinity

Ultimately, this is a Franciacorta that combines ambition and drinking pleasure, revealing new facets with every sip. The Alma Assemblage 2 Franciacorta DOCG - Bellavista is equally suited to festive occasions and intimate moments of enjoyment for two.

Production of the Alma Assemblage 2 Franciacorta DOCG - Bellavista

The grapes for this Franciacorta come from selected sites around the Bellavista winery in Erbusco, in the heart of Lombardy. The climate is influenced by Lake Garda and Lake Iseo, with warm days and cool nights. These contrasts lend the grapes aromatic tension while preserving their natural freshness.

The soils in Franciacorta consist primarily of morainic deposits, limestone and gravel. This geological diversity provides drainage and shapes the wine’s distinctly mineral character. The vines are generally planted on slopes with optimal exposure to the sun, favoring slow and even ripening.

The grapes are carefully harvested by hand, parcel by parcel, to obtain only selected, fully ripe fruit. Each grape variety and each site is brought separately to the cellar to express its individuality. Gentle handling of the harvested grapes preserves freshness and varietal character.

In the cellar, Bellavista relies on a combination of stainless-steel tanks and small wooden barrels. Some of the base wines mature in wood, giving the later Franciacorta additional depth, spice and creaminess. Blending numerous base wines requires great experience and precision. Reserve wines from different vintages bring consistency, fullness and complexity to the assemblage.

The second fermentation traditionally takes place in the bottle. The wine then rests on its lees for an extended period, producing the fine perlage and characteristic brioche notes. During this time, the distinctive texture that defines Bellavista’s style develops: generous, elegant, clearly contoured and impressively long.

After disgorgement, the wine receives only a very small dosage, in keeping with the extra brut style. This keeps the cool, precise fruit at the forefront. The result is multilayered, serious and sophisticated without losing its easy-drinking character. For many years, Bellavista has stood as a benchmark producer for Franciacorta and impressively expresses the character of the region with this wine.

Serving recommendations for the Alma Assemblage 2 Franciacorta DOCG - Bellavista

This Franciacorta is ideally suited as a stylish aperitif, but it also pairs excellently with an entire meal. The fresh citrus fruit, delicate brioche aroma and elegant minerality harmonize wonderfully with a wide variety of dishes.

• Ideal with oysters, seafood and fish carpaccio
• Excellent with sushi, sashimi and ceviche
• Well suited to risotto with seafood or asparagus
• Harmonious with poultry, veal cutlets and fine vegetable variations
• Stylish with goat cheese, mild hard cheese and antipasti

As an accompaniment to special occasions, this Franciacorta lends receptions, weddings or anniversaries an exclusive Italian touch. In a more intimate setting, it complements romantic evenings, birthdays or the enjoyment of refined appetizers before a festive dinner.

The ideal serving temperature is around 6 to 8 degrees Celsius. Gentle chilling in the refrigerator is ideal for this purpose. Pouring it into slender sparkling-wine glasses supports the development of the perlage and aromas. In a somewhat larger glass, the wine gains additional aromatic breadth.

For storage, a cool, dark room with a constant temperature is recommended. The bottles should be stored horizontally so that the cork remains in contact with the wine. Under good conditions, this Franciacorta develops attractively over several years, gaining increasing complexity. Its lively freshness is preserved, while the brioche and nutty notes become more pronounced.

The Alma Assemblage 2 Franciacorta DOCG - Bellavista thus reveals its full class both in its youth and after several years of ageing, accompanying wine lovers through numerous atmospheric moments.

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