Bellavista Pas Operé Extra Brut DOCG Franciacorta 0.75L

A single-varietal Chardonnay from the Franciacorta DOCG — Italy's answer to the great sparkling wines of France, created on the southeastern slope of Lake Iseo in Lombardy. Bellavista is one of the defining houses of this appellation and has been working for decades on a style that combines elegance and substance.

The Pas Operé Extra Brut comes from Chardonnay vines over 30 years old with a south to southeast exposure — sites that provide ripe fruit material even at cool vinification temperatures. Extra Brut means minimal dosage: less than six grams of residual sugar per liter, which brings the acid structure to the fore. The glass shows aromas of citrus zest, white peach, and brioche, complemented by a fine mineral line. The perlage is fine and persistent, the finish dry and precise.

Best served at 7–9 °C — as an aperitif, with seafood risotto, grilled sea bass, or mild goat cheese. For those who want to forgo tonic and cocktails: this Franciacorta stands its ground even without accompaniment.