Franciacorta DOCG without frills. Pure pleasure. This is Bellavista's Pas Operé, 75% Chardonnay and 25% Pinot Noir. This cuvée," reads the winery's website, "symbolises purity, energy, freshness and transformation, like the clouds that enchant as they pass. The "secret" of this Pas Operé is undoubtedly the blend of grapes used for its production, the result of a rigorous selection in the vineyard. In fact, the grapes used for this elegant cuvée come only from the winery's historic plots, with plants over 30 years old and a predominantly south-eastern exposure. It is clear from the first taste that this cuvée is designed to last and evolve over time. Never marketed until six years after the harvest, it has a beautiful straw yellow colour in the glass, with an exuberant white mousse that is fuelled by a perlage of incomparable persistence and finesse. The aromas are complex, but light and pleasant at the same time. There are notes of acacia honey, apple and chamomile, with delicate hints of small pastries and vanilla. In the mouth it is intense and complex. Vertical, decidedly dry and persistent, with a vibrant mineral freshness. Excellent as an aperitif, Bellavista's Pas Operé is also an ideal accompaniment to classic Japanese cuisine or raw fish in general.