Bellavista Franciacorta Extra Brut Alma Assemblage 2

Bellavista Alma Assemblage is the calling card of Franciacorta DOCG and embodies everything Bellavista stands for: elegance, precision, and refinement. This prestigious sparkling wine is made primarily from Chardonnay, complemented by Pinot Nero and a small amount of Pinot Bianco. The name Alma , Latin for 'soul', refers to the essence of the house and the unique identity of Franciacorta. Thanks to an exceptionally precise blend of no fewer than 93 individual base wines, a cuvée of impressive finesse and consistency is created. Vinous awarded 92 points and praises the refined mousse, the lively minerality, and the harmony between ripe fruit and autolytic complexity.

Bellavista

Bellavista belongs to the absolute elite of Franciacorta and is regarded as one of the producers that built the international reputation of this Italian sparkling wine region. The estate was founded in 1977 by Vittorio Moretti and owes its name to its magnificent location on a hill overlooking Lake Iseo and the Po Plain.

From the very beginning, quality has taken precedence over quantity. Bellavista works exclusively with grapes from its own vineyards and combines traditional methods with modern precision. The wines are produced entirely according to the Metodo Classico, where the second fermentation takes place in the bottle, comparable to the finest Champagnes.

For more information about Bellavista, please refer to the Winery tab.

The art of assembling

Bellavista Alma Assemblage is composed primarily of Chardonnay, supplemented with Pinot Nero and a small amount of Pinot Bianco. The grapes come from approximately sixty carefully selected vineyards scattered across the hills of Franciacorta.

What makes this wine special is the unprecedented precision with which the final blend is composed. Every year, no fewer than 93 individual base wines are tasted and evaluated before the definitive assemblage is created. In this process, not only do the characteristics of the various vineyards play a role, but also reserve wines from previous top vintages, including 2016, 2020, and 2021. The result is a sparkling wine with a recognizable house style and impressive depth.

Vinification

After manual harvesting in small crates, the grapes are gently pressed, using only the first and most refined juice. Approximately twenty percent of the base wines mature in small oak barrels, which adds extra structure, complexity, and refinement without losing freshness.

After blending, a second fermentation takes place in the bottle, and the wine ages sur lie for at least 30 months . This long aging on the lees creates the fine mousse, the creamy texture, and the characteristic autolytic aromas of brioche and freshly baked bread.

Scent, taste and character

The nose is refined and inviting with aromas of citrus, orange, ripe apple, white peach, and Mediterranean flowers, followed by notes of brioche, almond, yeast, ginger, and subtle spices. The long aging on the lees gives the wine great depth without losing its fresh character.

On the palate, Alma Assemblage presents itself with particular elegance. The mousse is fine and creamy, while ripe orchard fruit, citrus, and a subtle spiciness combine beautifully with lively minerality. Thanks to the Extra Brut dosage of just 3.3 grams per liter, the wine remains crisp and refined without becoming austere.

Eric Guido of Vinous (92 points) praises the expressive aroma of wild flowers, orange, ginger, and spices. According to him, the silky mousse, ripe fruit, and refined minerality create an impressively harmonious Franciacorta, where the subtle touch of raw almond gives the long finish extra character.

The finish is long, fresh, and mineral, with refined notes of citrus, brioche, and almond that linger for a long time.

Drinking window and food and wine pairings

Bellavista Alma Assemblage is ready to drink immediately, but develops beautifully in the bottle for several years after purchase. The ideal drinking window is between 2026 and 2028, although a well-stored bottle can develop a surprising amount of complexity even after that.

Preferably serve the wine at 8 to 10°C.

Perfect as an aperitif, but also excellent with oysters, sashimi, ceviche, scallops, lobster, langoustines, sushi, risotto with lemon or seafood, poultry, and refined starters.

Why buy Bellavista Alma Assemblage at Grandcruwijnen?

Bellavista Alma Assemblage is one of the absolute benchmarks within Franciacorta DOCG and demonstrates the high quality level of Italian sparkling wine that has reached. The combination of dozens of individual base wines, long aging on the lees, and the unprecedented precision of the blend results in a sparkling wine with international allure. An excellent choice for lovers of refined sparkling wines looking for a stylish alternative to Champagne.

At Grandcruwijnen, you will find a carefully selected assortment of the finest sparkling wines from Italy. All bottles are stored under optimal conditions and can be shipped or picked up at our store in Dordrecht.