Winemaker Notes
Satèn is the most delicate and elegant of the Franciacorta, made only in the best years from 100% chardonnay grapes from higher altitude vineyards. The selection of the bunches is meticulous, to say the least, as is the slow maturation in small white oak barrels. Once assembled, the cuvée spends 4 more years in the cellar. The rich foam, the extremely fine pérlage and the straw yellow color announce seductive and suave aromas of pink flowers, ripe citrus fruit and noisette. The flavors follow in the same wake, with a smooth, creamy texture and a perfect balance between ripe nuances and fresh sensations.
Representing the topmost expression of a Champagne house, a vintage Champagne is one made from the produce of a single, superior harvest year. Vintage Champagnes account for a mere 5% of total Champagne production and are produced about three times in a decade. Champagne is typically made as a blend of multiple years in order to preserve the house style; these will have non-vintage, or simply, NV on the label. The term, "vintage," as it applies to all wine, simply means a single harvest year.
Containing an exciting mix of wine producing subregions, Lombardy is Italy’s largest in size and population. Good quality Pinot noir, Bonarda and Barbera have elevated the reputation of the plains of Oltrepò Pavese. To its northeast in the Alps, Valtellina is the source of Italy’s best Nebbiolo wines outside of Piedmont. Often missed in the shadow of Prosecco, Franciacorta produces collectively Italy’s best Champagne style wines, and for the fun and less serious bubbly, find Lambrusco Mantovano around the city of Mantua. Lugana, a dry white with a devoted following, is produced to the southwest of Lake Garda.