Franciacorta Wines: Italy’s Answer to Champagne
Sparkling wine lovers, we’re sure you’re familiar with prosecco and rose. But have you heard of the Italian wine that people have been raving about? We’re talking about Franciacorta. Made in the same region as our Alpine Hotel – this wine is loved by all Italians from North to South. Some of you may have never heard of it, and we don’t blame you! It’s one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. So, if you want to learn some interesting facts about the drink, continue reading.
Source: Wine Enthusiast Magazine
MORE LIKE CHAMPAGNE THAN PROSECCO
Just like prosecco, Franciacorta originates from Italy. However, connoisseurs argue that Franciacorta is actually much closer to its French cousin – Champagne. This wine is geographically produced just beneath Lake Iseo in the region of Lombardy. Both wines are made from a traditional ‘champenoise’ method; this means that the ‘bubbliness’ of the wine is retrieved during its ‘in-bottle’ secondary fermentation. As a consequence, the wine tastes a lot younger, lighter and an enhanced fruit-flavour.
Source: Forbes
PERFECT SOIL AND CLIMATE
Franciacorta is essentially made with a blend of different grapes, examples include; Chardonnay, Pinot Nero or Pinot Bianco (just like champagne). However, what makes these two wines different is that they are cultivated in different terroirs or climates. If you didn’t know, the geographic location plays an important role in determining the notes and flavours of a particular wine – not just the type of grape used. So in this case, Franciacorta wineries are grown on unique soil where ice age glaciers formed, but throughout millennia, the glaciers melted and the nutrients have sunken deeply into the soil.
FIRST DOC, NOW DOCG STATUS
The wine was first awarded DOC status in 1967, which means that it has met all the specific requirements that help it get graded as a high-quality wine (as specified by the body). It was a few decades later when Franciacorta was awarded the illustrious DOCG accreditation in 1995, making it one of the few top-tier sparkling wines in that particular area. The wine is so loved by Italians that it is a popular drink consumed in Milan Fashion Week!
PAIRS PERFECTLY
Franciacorta pairs beautifully with the whole spectrum of Italian dishes presented in most menus, particularly with Northern Italian specialities such as Polenta, Porcini Tagliatelle and Bresaola. The dry wine’s pairing possibilities are essentially endless! So if you find yourself spending an afternoon in a restaurant in Lake Como, don’t hesitate to order a bottle of Franciacorta.
Why not stay at our Alpine Hotel? We are located within the Alps, with a Hotel Spa, relaxing Cigar Lounge and an Italian Restaurant that serves local Valtellina Cuisine.
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