Chardonnay, Franciacorta, Italy 

At 30 years old, Alessandra Divella farms 2 ha of organic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir in Gussago, the north-western Jurrasic part of Franciacorta. The first generation wine-maker is amongst a handful of producers creating a new story in a region known for large scale production. These wines are truly unique amongst what is generally associated with the region, far closer to grower Champagne and much more affordable for the quality. Alessandra has already achieved pioneer status within the region as one of the first estates to farm organically and the first to be female-led in Francicorta.

Divella works with very little intervention; rosehips and insects flourish between the vines on clay and limestone soils. Hand harvested grapes are gently and slowly pressed in a small old basket press that came with the property, in a small stone building re-built by Divella herself. Wines age on the lees in small barrels, sometimes cement, for up to 5 years. Her wines are 100% méthode champenoise but Alessandra takes things one step further - her wines are zero sulfur and zero dosage. Divella’s wines are not wild but rather are precise, refined, with a sharp, cutting acidity and an immensely salty minerality. This is just the beginning for Alessandra Divella, she continues to buy and rent land throughout Gussago until she understands all of its sub-appellations and intricacies. Methodo Classico is afterall about time.

100% Chardonnay méthode champenois from 20 year-old vines grown on limestone and clay soils. Hand-harvested grapes are gently pressed in a small basket press. The juice spends 15 days in cement tanks and then rest in barrique before tirage and bottling. Aged 32 month sur lie. Unfined and unfiltered, of course. Alessandra’s precision and thoughtfulness are expressed in the wine in the form of racy acidity and clean, mineral-driven depth. Bread, lemon zest, pine, unripe apple, simple luxury (the best kind).