Franciacorta is one of Italy's most important sparkling wine regions: it stretches between Lake Iseo and Brescia and is home to some of Italy's finest sparkling wines.
Franciacorta wines are produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and Erbamat, an ancient grape variety from the Brescia area. As required by the regulations, the only production method allowed is the Classic Method, known here as the Franciacorta Method (which is the key difference between Prosecco and Franciacorta).
Franciacorta DOCG sparkling wines are distinguished by their elegance and freshness and are increasingly appreciated by both enthusiasts and critics, not only in Italy. These wineries are among the most modern in Italy, and the quality of Franciacorta sparkling wines is improving with each passing year.
In this collection, you will find the best Franciacorta wines, from the large companies that have made sparkling wine history and from smaller ones that are increasingly sought after by connoisseurs. From cuvées to vintage wines, you are sure to find your favorite sparkling wine here.
Franciacorta DOCG, a prestigious terroir
Franciacorta is a sparkling wine that, like few others, is capable of expressing the exceptional nature of a prestigious territory.
The very morphology and composition of the soil play a fundamental role in the production of this wine, considered one of the best in the Italian winemaking tradition: the soil in question is of glacial origin and is characterized by the presence of morainic stones that accumulate heat during the day and release it gradually at night, maintaining the optimal temperature for the vines; the soil also has a high percentage of gravel, which helps drain excess water and moisture, ensuring a favorable environment for the roots.
These ideal conditions give rise to the three prized versions of Franciacorta DOCG, namely Spumante Bianco, Satèn, and Rosé.
The production methods of this wine region and its potential are the result of decades of continuous refinement:
the first experiments with sparkling wine production took place in the 1960s, under the guidance of Guido Berlucchi, thanks to whom Franciacorta sparkling wine obtained the DOC certification of controlled origin in 1967. Finally, in 1995, following a long process of refinement, Franciacorta obtained the DOCG designation. If you would like to learn more, we have written a comprehensive guide on the history of Franciacorta and the Italian classic method.
What grape varieties are used to produce Franciacorta?
The grape varieties used to produce Franciacorta sparkling wine are Pinot Bianco, Chardonnay, and Pinot Nero.
Pinot Bianco occupies about 5% of the Franciacorta DOCG production area and is used in a maximum percentage of 50%: it is an elegant, full-bodied wine with great persistence and good acidity.
Chardonnay, on the other hand, occupies about 80% of the area: it is a highly prized white grape variety that adapts well to the Franciacorta territory.
Finally, Pinot Noir, the second most widespread grape variety in Franciacorta, occupies about 15% of the area and is used mainly in the Millesimati and Riserve wines of Franciacorta DOCG, guaranteeing their structure and longevity.
The organoleptic characteristics of Franciacorta
The characteristics of these three grape varieties blend together to create a wine that expresses itself, on the nose, with notes of wild berries accompanied by a slight and typical note of apple, which gives it a pleasant and characteristic bitter note on the finish.
Visually, Franciacorta sparkling wine is distinguished by its bright and shiny color, sometimes accompanied by slight green reflections.
A little gem: would you like to try the still side of Franciacorta? Well, the same grape varieties used for sparkling wine are also used to produce Curtefranca Bianco, which obtained DOC status in the 1960s thanks to the efforts of quality producers such as Bellavista and Ca' del Bosco. If you prefer red wine, no problem, you can try Curtefranca Rosso DOC.
Tannico's tips for serving Franciacorta sparkling wine
To best appreciate Franciacorta, we recommend serving it at a temperature of 6 degrees, or a maximum of 8 degrees for the Rosé version. The best glass to use is a flute, a tall, narrow glass that allows the aromas to unfold gradually.
Among the producers, it is impossible not to mention big names such as Bellavista, Ca' del Bosco, and Contadi Castaldi, but in addition to these established producers, others are emerging that you will find exclusively among Tannico's online wines, such as Camossi.
