The holiday season sparkles each year, especially with a selection of Italian bubblies. In regions up and down the boot, winemakers are permitted to make sparklers labeled as vino spumante. But a handful of areas stand out for their dedication to sparkling wine production. Among these wines are Franciacorta from Northern Italy's Lombardy region, Prosecco from northeastern Italy and Lambrusco from Central Italy's Emilia-Romagna region.
Franciacortas are made using the same method as Champagne, and they're based on Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir with smaller proportions of Pinot Bianco and the local Erbamat. Expect fine bubbles, a round and buoyant acidity and ripe fruit flavors. Meanwhile, most Proseccos and Lambruscos utilize the Charmat method (aka the tank method) of production, which results in a softer, creamier bead.
This selection includes Bellavista's Extra Brut Franciacorta Alma Assemblage 1 NV, an elegant sparkler with white cherry and yellow plum notes. Read on to get our score and expert tasting notes for this delicious Italian sparkling wine and nine others.
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