Monzio Compagnoni Franciacorta Brut Saten Millesimato

Pairs with: Smoked oysters Good for: Capping off the year in style Grape: Chardonnay I am from: Lombardy, Italy The Story: Grown in the rolling hills adjacent to northern Italy's glacial lakes, in Lombardy, this elegant, natural-method take on Chardonnay, rivals Champagne, but at a more comfortable price point. Winemaker Marcello Monzio Compagnoni makes both Franciacorta and Valcalepio with a single-minded passion, the former justifiably regarded as the greatest Italian sparkling wine. Marcello began his career in wine in 1989 by designing the cellars for his father after the latter had bought vineyards in Cenato Sotto (Valcalepio). Later, in 1995, these cellars had to be sold and new ones were temporarily found in the Franciacorta area, some 20 kilometres away. After his father passed away, Marcello took over the estate. Today that means taking care of 20 hectares of vineyards in Franciacorta and 14 hectares in Valcalepio, advised by top oenologist Donato Lanati. Why You'll Love Me: I