Bellavista celebrates the art of blending in Alma Assemblage range
Terroir is often associated with hyper-specific wines, but Franciacorta producer Bellavista is using blending to express its landscape in the Alma Assemblage range.
As a producer with deep roots in the historical Franciacorta region, Bellavista knows its Lombardy landscapes very well. The winery was founded in 1977, just 10 years after the creation of Franciacorta DOC, and has worked across the area (now recognised as a DOCG). Indeed, the house now takes particular pride in how founder Vittorio Moretti soon began purchasing prime plots across the region, setting his fledgling winery up for future success.
Close to 50 years on, a new trilogy of wines is celebrating Franciacorta’s landscape. Alma Assemblage 1, Alma Rosé Assemblage 1 and Alma Non Dosato Assemblage 1 mark the beginning of a new era for Bellavista.
Crafted under the watchful eyes of Bellavista winemaker Francesca Moretti and her mentor Richard Geoffroy (formerly of Dom Pérignon), the three bottlings will be an evolving series, changing with each vintage. Unlike most celebrations of terroir, however, blending between sites (or assemblage, for any French speakers out there) is at the project’s heart.
“Assemblage is the ultimate interpretative act,” says Moretti, “which is meant to be taut, luminous, pleasing to the palate, an expression of the identity and perfection of our wines.”
That act of blending is thanks to what Moretti describes as “a myriad of variables” in Bellavista’s vineyards. The winemakers can select from 129 plots across Franciacorta’s 19 municipalities, offering a swathe of the region’s potential.
For the Alma Assemblage wines, 60 such vineyards across 10 of the municipalities contribute, with 91 different selections of base wines appearing in the blends. It is therefore a complex creation, but one nonetheless dedicated to expressing the region’s potential.
Communicating a new story
The new trilogy of wines also means Bellavista can tell a new story with its brand. A considered approach means that every detail explains some element of the winemaking.
Most significantly, each bottle’s number will reflect its place in the series. Alma Assemblage 1 (as well as its siblings) is based on the 2021 vintage, while Alma Assemblage 2 will have the 2022 harvest as its foundation, and so on.
Thus, although the heritage of the vines and the sense of place are constant, Bellavista is not shying away from each edition having its own identity, as dictated by natural forces that are constantly in flux. “With each vintage, a new era,” explains Moretti.
Partner Content
The packaging, meanwhile, is embellished with nods to the wine’s production. Moretti and Geoffroy’s signatures appear on the back of each bottle, proudly promoting the partnership behind the range.
The bottle also features a hand-drawn map of the Franciacorta territory. On it you can trace landmarks like Lake Iseo, Mount Guglielmo and, of course, the hill whose beautiful view inspired the winery name.
The impression is of a winery that embraces its history, its new direction and, of course, its landscape. Rather than imitating other regions’ approaches to winemaking and terroir, Bellavista’s new era sees it unabashedly embracing Franciacorta’s unique character.
“I am a Champagne man, I have a family behind me that has been working in that area for eight generations,” comments Geoffroy, “but I think that Franciacorta is a fantastic territory, of world-class excellence, with a defined, recognizable identity, with unlimited skills and capacity for innovation: therefore, it does not need to imitate other models.”
A fresh classic for Franciacorta
Alma Assemblage 1 is a new beginning for Bellavista, but it nonetheless demonstrates a classic style of Franciacorta.
The 2021 vintage had its challenges, with late flowering thanks to a cool spring and an intense hailstorm in July. Yet the slow ripening in the early season helped promote balance, which was especially useful when an August heatwave hit. Thanks to rigorous selection in the vineyard, the grapes reached the winery in excellent condition. These formed the backbone of the release, supplemented by reserve wines from 2014, 2019 and 2020.
Chardonnay makes up most of the blend at 86%, supplemented by 13% Pinot Nero and a dash of Pinot Bianco. The vines, spread across those 60 sites, are well developed and can contribute complex aromas thanks to their average age of 27 years.
The extra-brut wine is carefully constructed using all the tools at a sparkling winemaker’s disposal. 32% of the blend is aged in oak pièces, helping to give depth and structure to the wine. 30 months of ageing also does its part, allowing the development of a fine cordon and Franciacorta’s characteristic aromas of nuts and brioche.
According to Bellavista, Alma Assemblage 1 shows delicacy in its bouquet of lively citrus and Mediterranean flowers. The palate displays those flavours, alongside a mineral finish. Poised between freshness and maturity, it is a demonstration of Franciacorta’s fine pedigree, as well as fine wine potential yet to be unleashed.
Related news
For the eleventh day of Christmas...
