Marchese Antinori Tenuta Montenisa Franciacorta Brut Contessa Maggi 2016

Marchese Antinori Franciacorta Contessa Maggi Brut 2016 is a refined vintage sparkling wine that captures the elegance and finesse of the Franciacorta region in Lombardy. Crafted from carefully selected Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, this Riserva cuvée is the most representative expression from Montenisa and a tribute to the noble name Contessa Maggi. It combines Antinori’s centuries of winemaking heritage with the precision and purity that have made Franciacorta Italy’s benchmark for traditional-method sparkling wines.

Tasting Notes
In the glass, Contessa Maggi 2016 shows a luminous straw-yellow color with delicate golden highlights, wrapped in a fine, persistent perlage. The nose is layered and complex: ripe citrus, white peach and pear mingle with notes of brioche, toasted hazelnut, acacia blossom and a subtle hint of pastry cream and chalky minerality. On the palate, the wine is dry, precise and beautifully balanced, with a creamy mousse and a vibrant, well-integrated acidity. Flavors of lemon zest, stone fruit and baked apple are supported by nuances of almond, fresh bread crust and a savory mineral backbone. The structure and depth clearly reflect extended aging on the lees, giving length and a refined, slightly saline finish. Enjoyable now for its complexity and freshness, this 2016 vintage has the concentration and balance to evolve gracefully for several more years in bottle, gaining further nuance and tertiary notes with time.

Production
Sourced from select vineyards in the heart of Franciacorta, Montenisa’s Contessa Maggi Riserva benefits from the region’s moraine-rich soils and the cooling influence of nearby Lake Iseo, which help preserve acidity and aromatic delicacy in the grapes. Chardonnay and Pinot Nero are harvested by hand at optimal ripeness to ensure meticulous selection of bunches destined for this flagship cuvée. The base wines are vinified separately, using temperature-controlled fermentation to safeguard purity and finesse, before being blended and bottled for secondary fermentation according to the traditional method (Metodo Classico). The wine then rests on its lees for an extended period—typical of Franciacorta Riserva—developing its characteristic complexity, fine bead and creamy texture before disgorgement and final dosage.

Food & Serving
This Franciacorta Riserva is a superb match for refined dishes such as oysters, scallops, lobster, and delicate fish preparations, as well as poultry, veal tartare, sushi and sashimi, or truffle-accented risottos. Its savory depth and structure also make it an elegant partner for aged cheeses and gourmet canapés. Serve well-chilled but not icy, ideally at 8–10°C (46–50°F), to allow the aromas and texture to fully unfold. A short decant in a broad-bowled sparkling wine glass or pouring the first small glass and giving the bottle a few minutes in the glassware can help the wine open and reveal its most complex layers.

Producer
Montenisa is the Franciacorta estate of the renowned Antinori family, one of Italy’s most historic and influential wine dynasties, whose roots in winemaking date back over six centuries. Located in the village of Calino in Lombardy, Montenisa was established to showcase the potential of Franciacorta through meticulous vineyard work and traditional-method sparkling winemaking. The estate has become an important reference point in the appellation, combining Antinori’s deep experience with the unique terroir of Franciacorta to produce wines of precision, elegance and age-worthiness. Contessa Maggi stands at the top of the range as Montenisa’s most emblematic and critically acclaimed expression, symbolizing both the prestige of the appellation and the Antinori family’s commitment to quality.

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