Setting a high standard, this elegant Franciacorta sparkling wine is aged sur lie for 30 months for a complex flavour

This dry Italian sparkling wine comes from Franciacorta DOCG. It is made in a similar way to Champagne, using the méthode classique. This Brut Cuvée no.7 is even more special, as it has been aged sur lie for twice as long as most non-vintage Champagne. This allows the wine to develop complex bready aromas and a rich texture.

Winemaking

Lo Sparviere Brut Cuvée n.7 is made from 100% Chardonnay grapes. It comes from a vineyard in Provaglio d’Iseo, about 1 km south of Lake Iseo in Lombardy. The soils in the vineyard were formed by a glacier – as was the whole of the Franciacorta region south of Lake Iseo. At the end of the last ice age 18,000 years ago, the glacier retracted back into the Alps, leaving a trace rich in minerals, gravel, sand, silt and limestone.

The vineyard is planted on a hill facing South-West. Grapes are hand-harvested from late August through early September. After harvest, grapes are left in crates in the refrigeration room for 24-36 hours, to chill to 10°C. This is done to extract aromas and flavours in the most delicate manner possible. Then, the grapes undergo a gentle, whole-cluster pressing, where no more than 60% of the free-run juice is extracted.

The wine is fermented for seven months sur lie in stainless steel tanks, at the low temperature of 16°C, in order to preserve the delicate fragrance of the chardonnay grapes. After that, it undergoes a second fermentation in bottle, where it matures and develops sur lie for another 30 months.

Tasting notes

Pale yellow colour. Elegant aromas of ripe peach, hints of honey, butter, toasted bread and almonds. This wine is dry with a full body and medium alcohol. Tangy and fresh, with a balanced aroma and high acidity. It has a creamy mousse and a long, elegant finish.

Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 – Bronze Medal | Mundus Vini 2019 Spring Tasting – Silver Medal | I Vini di Veronelli 2017 – 2 Stars | Glass of Bubbly 2018 – Gold Medal | Bibenda Guide 2016 – 4 Grappoli | Vitae La Guida Vini 2019 – 3 Vines