| Region |
Lombardia has the largest and most wealthy population in Italy, historically, being a
commercial center for the Romans who opened trade routes into the northern reaches of
Europe. Sophistication has long been the trademark of Milan, renowned as the fashion capital
of the world and the financial center of the country. Wines of quality are, however, a relatively
new phenomena. The region is characterized by the looming presence of the Alps, the many
lakes in the north, and the plains surrounding the Po River. The Po Valley being particularly
conducive to field crops and livestock is not as hospitable to viticulture. The Lombardia ranks
only 11th in total vineyards with 3 major areas of production: the Oltrepo Pavese in the
Southwest; the alpine Valtellina and the eastern region surrounding Brescia including the
DOCG of Franciacorta. The Alpine climate is tempered by the lakes. Along the shores of Lake
Garda, are the most northern grown olives in Italy, due to the lake’s warming effects.
While total wine production is not high, the well-regarded wines of Franciacorta have
dominated the attention of the press and consumers. Over the last 30-40 years with the
investment of wealthy entrepreneurs, the methode champenoise wines of Franciacorta have
risen to such levels of quality, they were accorded the status of DOCG in 1995. Further
recognition of stature was bestowed upon the region by the European Economic Community
when Franciacorta was accorded the same status as Champagne. Using the same grapes as
Champagne and the same production methods, one might argue that Franciacorta has the
one natural advantage of being further south—and they are often better values.
In addition to Franciacorta’s sparkling wines, many of the still wines also have gained
recognition with several growers focused on the preservation of the region’s many indigenous
grapes such as Trebbiano Lugana, Gropello, and Marzemino.
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| Vineyard |
Scale and charm do not generally go together; yet in Bellavista’s case, they are perfectly compatible. This remarkable operation, masterminded by owner Vittorio Moretti and winemaker Mattia Vezzola, combines grandeur and star quality with familiarity and simplicity. The estate’s larger-than-life facilities, miles of underground cellars, impressive contemporary architecture (helipad included), and 1,250 surrounding acres of Franciacorta soil – 462 acres of which (187 hectares) are now under vine – leave you awestruck.
At the same time, the exuberant Mattia, ebullient Morettis and likable, friendly Bellavista staff inspire immediate empathy.
Moretti founded the estate in 1976, and the first bottle of Franciacorta was issued in 1984. Over these three decades, the style of Bellavista has become a benchmark to the DOCG – so much so it has prompted countless imitations. Its vineyards now constitute 8% of the entire appellation, in extraordinarily favorable positions: some 60 selections that go into one million bottles yearly.
A choice number of special Reserves from the finest vintages rest in 3.5 million 3-lt. bottles, in Bellavista’s immense underground cellars. This treasury of excellence continues to nurture the Bellavista cuvées, providing the winery’s signature leitmotiv. The past couple of years have seen Mattia implement yet another phase in the estate’s constant crescendo: increasing élevage, on average from 36 to 48 months, so as to achieve the greatest possible quality consistency and personality.
WHAT IS FRANCIACORTA? Franciacorta is not only an appellation; it is also a vinification method – metodo Franciacorta – for sparkling wines known as Franciacortas. There are only two world regions whose bubbles enjoy such distinction: Franciacorta, and Champagne. The Franciacortas of Bellavista consist of classic méthode champenoise/metodo Franciacorta from Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, awesome in every detail: minuscule, persistent perlage, ample, elegant bouquet of bread dough, ripe apples, pears and apricots with subtle notes of vanilla and peach jam; creamy, silky texture, unique concentration and long, pure finish.
Franciacorta’s clayey/limestone soil is richly endowed with the elements of Champagne, ideally enhanced by in-depth genetic research, organic-only fertilization, phased out harvests, parcelled out crops (the 60-plus selections are separately fermented in oak/stainless steel), vertical presses (Marmonnier and the more recent Coquard), up to 6 years’ bottle age in the vast underground cellars, refermentation directly in the bottle for the larger-format sparkling wines, remuage by hand for all sparkling wines etc. Both still and sparkling are from prime hillside vineyards, clonally selected material, densely planted stock. The still DOCs of the range are called Curtefranca (an ancient designation for the area).
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