Vintage: NV
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy
Appellation: Franciacorta
Grape: 78% Chardonnay
12% Pinot Noir
10% Pinot Blanc
Alcohol: 12.5%
Closure: Cork

Producer: The Antinori family have been producing wine in Tuscany for six centuries, and exporting it for four. The purchase of the Tignanello estate in 1900 marked the beginning of a remarkable period of expansion which shows no signs of abating. Through judicious acquisition of vineyards and an uncanny knack for developing iconic wines, Antinori has become Tuscany’s – arguably Italy’s – pre-eminent wine producer, with an important presence in Piedmont, Lombardy, Umbria and Puglia as well as their Tuscan heartland.

Vineyard: The Montenisa Estate is based around the village of Calino, in the heart of Franciacorta. It was bought by the Antinori family in 1999, and is run by Piero Antinori’s daughter Alessia. All the fruit for this wine is sourced from the estate’s own vineyards: sixty perfectly sited hectares on the hill of Santo Stefano.

Winery: The first fermentation took place in stainless steel vats and the second in bottle, with subsequent contact on the yeasts for thirty-six months before disgorgement.

Taste: Superb traditional method fizz from the Antinori stable – crisp apple fruit with lemony finesse has acquired subtle richness and perfect tiny bubbles from extended time on the lees.