Single-vintage “metodo classico” Franciacorta wine. Tastes of lemon whipped cream and pear drop candy

This delightful “metodo classico” sparkling wine is made from 100% Chardonnay. It’s a millesimato, which means that all the grapes come from the same vintage. This only happens in the best years, and shows that this is a top of the range fizz for this winery. Further evidence is that it won the prestigious Bronze medal at the Decanter World Wine Awards in 2021.

The Lo Sparviere vineyard is located near Provaglio d’Iseo, which is about 1 km south of Lake Iseo in Lombardy. Only 19 villages are allowed to produce wines labelled “Franciacorta”, which was elevated to the DOCG status (the highest level of quality in Italy) in 1995. Today this region offers breathtaking landscapes, but during the last ice age – 18,000 years ago – it was completely covered by a glacier. This explains why the soil is morainic, rich in minerals, and composed of sand, silt, gravel and limestone.

It undergoes a second fermentation in bottle, similar to the traditional method used to make Champagne. But, because of the warm growing environment south of Lake Iseo, the Chardonnay grapes in Franciacorta reach ripeness levels which require a much lower level of dosage (added sugar). It allows Franciacorta’s winemakers to produce dry sparkling wines with a natural balance of alcohol, sweetness and acidity.

Winemaking

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

The wine is slowly fermented in stainless steel tanks, at the low temperature of 16°C, in order to preserve the delicate fragrance of the grape. The base wine is then matured sur lie. for six months in stainless steel. The first (and most precious) part of the wine, the cuvée, undergoes malolactic fermentation to reduce acidity and create the delicate creamy flavour.

After the wine is bottled, it undergoes a second fermentation, maturing and developing sur lie for another 48 (!) months.

Tasting notes

In the glass, this Lo Sparviere Franciacorta is like liquid gold with tiny bubbles. It offers flavours of lemon zest, yellow flowers (think daffodil), an undertone of lemon whipped cream, pear drop candy and baked golden apple. Long finish. It has plenty of acidity to last years in bottle, so drink or hold: your choice.

Awards

Decanter World Wine Awards 2021 – Bronze Medal | The WineHunter, 2019 – Gold Medal (2014 vintage) | Mundus Vini, 2021 Spring Tasting – Silver Medal (2014 vintage) | Bibenda Guide, 2020 – 4 Grappoli (2014 vintage)

“Buttery aromas of bruised white fruit, honeyed melon and quince, and a palate of concentrated golden apple.” – Decanter