The single term, ‘Franciacorta,’ defines the territory, the production method and the wine itself—so every bottle of Franciacorta hails from the Franciacorta territory in the region of Lombardy. Located just one hour from Milan, the hilly area creates a mild climate creating the perfect environment for winemaking. The history of winemaking in Franciacorta stretches back to the 16th century, and the area’s hills are lined with vineyards.
Ever heard of DOCG? It stands for Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita, and it means the winemaker has adhered to the most exacting standards of quality control. Franciacorta was the first Italian sparkling wine to receive this designation of quality (they've been producing hand-harvested, bottle-aged sparkling wine since 1961), and they adhere to strict production guidelines. There are several styles of Franciacorta to try, including:
Non-Vintage: Made with Chardonnay, and or Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc, aged 18 months minimum.
Satèn: Like a Blanc de Blanc, this is made only with white grapes and has a soft, silky texture. A majority is Chardonnay with a maximum of 50% Pinot Blanc, aged 24 months minimum.
Rosé: Made with Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and at least 35% Pinot Noir which gives this style a rosy blush.
Millesimato: This style is made from a single vintage (at least 85%) with particularly high quality. It’s aged 30 months minimum for a complex taste.
Riserva: A vintage-dated reserve wine that may be Satèn or Rosé, aged 60 months minimum.
