Franciacorta Brut Gran Cuvée Alma DOCG Bellavista

Tasted from magnum, the Bellavista NV Franciacorta Grand Cuvée Alma Brut comes in an immediately recognizable bright orange label and capsule. Fruit is sourced from all over the appellation, involving as many as 80 different individual parcels once the final blend is made, and these efforts result in a very large production of over a million bottles. The wine is bright and citrusy with an easy entry and fine beading. It shows white peach, melon and almond biscuit. It's more refreshing than it is complex per se.

A sparkling wine that shows tension and vivacity with cooked-apple, peach and lemon aromas and flavors. Full body, plenty of fruit and a crisp finish. Attractive bread-dough undertones. Always an excellent sparkling wine. Drink now.

A minerally, linear version, with a finely detailed mousse and rapierlike acidity driving a subtle weave of melon, Meyer lemon peel, toast point and white blossom notes. Drink now. 

Bright straw-yellow. Aromas of fresh apricot and sweet spices, plus whiffs of pineapple and banana. Then similar flavors on the slightly high-toned palate, but an enticing floral quality adds lift and a hint of welcome minerality provides more in the way of complexity. Finishes with good grip and persistence. A blend of 77% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Nero and 1% Pinot Bianco.