Bisson

In 1978, sommelier and wine expert Pierluigi Lugano decided to restore value to the Ligurian grapes from the Levante Riviera. After a start in winemaking with modern techniques and experiments made on locally purchased grapes, he decided to buy vineyards in and around the Cinque Terre area, in order to control every step in the production of his Ligurian wine and the level of quality. Here he started again with the processing of native Ligurian white wines, which had almost disappeared up to this point, such as Bianchetta Genovese and Ciliegiolo, and the creation of characterful reds such as Musaico. But the greatest innovation came with the Metodo Classico sparkling wine, Abissi. In the absence of underground cellars, Bisson began maturing the wine 40 metres below the sea floor, in the Baia del Silenzio, near Sestri Levante. Bisson's production is also aimed at enhancing the local terroir, which provides the area's typical grape varieties, including Vermentino, which when aged, produces some dried grape sweet wines. The latest experimentation is linked to respecting the sandy and stony soil, and to achieve that, Bisson is strongly limiting the use of pesticides. Name and address of producer/distributor: Bisson - Contrada Pestella, 42, 16039 Sestri Levante GE. Products from this winery should be stored in a cool, dry place away from heat sources.