La Montina Franciacorta Satèn

Indulge in the luxurious smoothness of an elite Italian sparkler that gives the finest Champagnes a serious run for their money. Sitting in the top 5% of all wines globally on Vivino and the top 4% of its region, La Montina Franciacorta Satèn is a masterclass in elegance and texture. Made exclusively from 100% premium Chardonnay grapes, this classic-method masterpiece is the ultimate choice for those seeking a softer, silkier, and incredibly sophisticated sparkling experience.

Tasting Notes & Food Pairings

• The Profile: Unrolling like pure silk on the palate, this Satèn opens with an expansive nose of fresh white peach, acacia flower, and lime blossom, leading into a rich, pillowy mouthfeel balanced by a refined citric spiciness and a beautiful, complex finish that evokes fresh, warm brioche.

• Classic Pairings: A sublime companion for delicate seafood starters, baked white fish, creamy truffle risottos, and light charcuterie or soft, mild cheeses.
• Irish Favourite Pairings: An outstanding match for a premium takeaway fish and chips; the wine's vibrant, natural acidity effortlessly cuts through the rich batter, while its lower bottle pressure and velvety bubbles cleanse the palate perfectly. For an upscale home-cooked comfort meal, pour a glass alongside a rich, creamy chicken and leek pie or a fish pie, the subtle vanilla and toasted notes from the oak aging mirror the buttery puff pastry, while the wine's structure holds up beautifully against the savoury, cream-based sauce.

Awards & Accolades

• Official Awards: Proud winner of the prestigious Tre Bicchieri (Three Glasses) from Gambero Rosso, Italy's highest and most revered wine distinction.
• Vivino Recognition: Universally praised for its exceptional texture and quality, this bottle ranks in the elite Top 5% of all wines in the world and the Top 4% of all wines from the Franciacorta region.

How the wine is made

This Satèn carries Italy’s highest quality classification: DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita), meaning it is legally guaranteed to meet the country's most rigorous production standards. Crafted from 100% hand-harvested Chardonnay grapes pulled from La Montina’s longest-standing hillside vineyards, the fruit is gently pressed using an advanced pneumatic system where the premium "mosto fiore" (first-press juice) flows naturally via gravity without the use of aggressive pumps. A portion of the base wine is fermented in lightly toasted oak barriques to impart structural elegance, before the cuvée is bottled for its second fermentation; it then undergoes a patient, slow maturation on its lees for a minimum of 24 to 28 months in the estate's deep underground cellars.

Why we love this producer

Established in 1987 by the Bozza brothers in Monticelli Brusati, La Montina sits on a historic 17th-century estate originally built by the ancestors of Pope Paul VI. Nestled inside a natural morainic amphitheatre near the northern crown of Lake Iseo, the winery benefits from a unique, lake-cooled microclimate that preserves the vibrant acidity of their grapes. We love this producer because they seamlessly blend high-end traditional winemaking with a vibrant appreciation for contemporary culture, even housing an active modern art gallery right inside their historic subterranean cellars.

Sustainability & Farming Practices

• Certifications: Practising Integrated Viticulture and certified sustainable management.
• Vineyard Practices: La Montina treats environmental balance as a core mission, using a custom-built 8,000 square metre underground cellar to regulate temperature naturally and installing modern solar photovoltaic systems for cleaner energy generation. In the vineyards, they apply the "Simonit & Sirch" gentle pruning method to maximise vine longevity and health, use targeted trials of resilient vine clones to combat climate shifts, and carefully limit interventions to protect the natural biodiversity of the Monticelli Brusati landscape.