Spumante Metodo Classico Brut 'Abissi' Bisson 2018

Ligurian winery Bisson presents Spumante Metodo Classico Brut 'Abissi,' a unique and peculiar bubbly that undergoes a long ageing process in the seabed of the Ligurian Sea. The Bisson winemaking project saw its beginnings in 1978 when the master of the art and established sommelier Pierluigi Lugano began buying grapes from farmers on the Riviera Ligure del Levante to make his own wine, aware of the area's enormous winemaking potential. In the following years, he began to grow his own grapes independently, focusing exclusively on local grape varieties, while in the early 2000s, he launched the 'Abissi' line, Metodo Classico sparkling wines made from native varieties and aged 60 meters below the surface of the sea.

'Abissi' Bisson Spumante Metodo Classico Brut consists of a blend of the native Bianchetta Genovese, Vermentino and Cimixà grape varieties grown in Trigoso, in the municipality of Sestri Levante. Following early harvest, the grapes are subjected to 48 hours of cryomaceration and then gently pressed, with the resulting must undergoing temperature-controlled alcoholic fermentation. Once ready, the sparkling wine base is placed in the bottle for the second fermentation in accordance with the Metodo Classico and is immersed in the seabed inside special steel cages at a depth of 60 meters, with a constant temperature of 15°C. After at least 18 months of ageing on the lees at sea, the bottles are fished out, subjected to disgorgement and finally topped up with the same wine.

Bisson's Brut 'Abissi' Metodo Classico sparkling wine is straw yellow in colour with a subtle and persistent effervescence. The nose evokes hints of ripe exotic fruit, lime blossom, butter cookies and brioche, pressed by pleasant salty mineral and sweet spice notes. Taste dry, broad and enveloping, contended between freshness and savoury-mineral component.