Franciacorta

Wine from Franciacorta comes out of Lombardy, Italy, where it sits as a wine region.

Growers build the wines around Chardonnay, filling out the blend with Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc.

The ground underneath is free-draining and gravel.

The climate is continental.

The vineyards themselves read as hills, riverside and valley floor.

Sparkling wine is what the region is known for, and in the glass it shows tasting notes include brisk acidity, biscuit, brioche and lemon, plus one more.

Labels here fall under the DOCG.

Names to look for on a shelf: Bellavista, Berlucchi, Ca’ del Bosco and Ferghettina.

At the table these bottles work with seafood, light pasta dishes, salads and soft cheeses.

Serve at around 7°C.

Keeps for 1 to 3 years.

In the glass.

Sparkling: Tasting notes include brisk acidity, Biscuit, Brioche, Lemon, Lees.

Grapes planted here.

Classifications.

• DOCG

Producers worth knowing.

Bottles to look for.

• Barone Pizzini 'Animante' Brut, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy
• Bellavista 'Alma' Assemblage, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy
• Bellavista Rose Millesimato, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy
• Bellavista Saten Millesimato, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy
• Bellavista Vittorio Moretti 'Teatro La Scala' Brut, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy
• Bellavista Vittorio Moretti Riserva Extra Brut, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy
• Berlucchi '61 Extra Brut, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy
• Berlucchi '61 Nature, Franciacorta DOCG, Italy

At the table.

• seafood
• light pasta dishes
• salads
• soft cheeses

Serving and cellaring.

• Serve at around 7°C.
• Keeps for 1 to 3 years.

Nearby regions.

Franciacorta: common questions

More from here: every wine region in Italy.