Franciacorta is the most prestigious appellation for Metodo Classico sparkling wines, located in Lombardia in northern Italy. In truth, it’s very hard to find this wine in the UK because almost all of it is consumed in Italy.
Sophisticated and elegant, Franciacorta combines notes of light lemon with flavours of toasted nuts, brioche and dried fruit which develop during its ageing.
The territory of Franciacorta DOCG covers 23 x 13 km, between the town of Brescia, Lake Iseo, and the western edge of the Rhaetian Alps. Only 19 villages south of Lake Iseo are permitted to bottle Franciacorta, and around 17.9 million bottles are produced each year (ISMEA, 2018).
Geologically, Fanciacorta is an amphitheatre which was formed by a glacier, during the last ice age 18,000 years ago. The soil is morainic, rich in minerals, and composed of sand, silt, gravel and limestone.
Franciacorta was elevated to DOC in 1967. In 1995, it became the first DOCG in Italy dedicated to Metodo Classico sparkling wines.
The wine laws of Franciacorta DOCG only allow hand harvest. In terms of grapes, Franciacorta permits Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and up to 10% of the indigenous grape Erbamat. The Rosé version must include at least 35% Pinot Nero. However, "Franciacorta Satèn" can only include Chardonnay (not less than 50%) and Pinot Bianco.
After the second fermentation in bottle, the the wine must age on its lees in bottle for at least 18 months - but premium examples are matured for up to three years. Longer ageing creates bone-dry sparkling wines with crisp acidity and notes of toasted bread and biscuit.
