Champagne is not the only sparkling wine produced with the so called CLASSICO method which is based on the principle of refermentation in bottle. Besides Champagne, also other regions of France and of the world use this technology. The closest "relative" to Champagne in Italy is called Franciacorta. They are so similar that even professionals can confuse the two sparkling wines during a blind tasting.
Franciacorta is a small area in Lombardy known for its high quality sparkling wines having the same name, which have the status of Franciacorta DOCG according to the Italian classification of wines. As opposed to the famous Asti and Prosecco, Franciacorta sparkling wines are definitely terroir wines, in which it is possible to look for both bouquet and complexity and it is acceptable to compare them to Champagne.
Even though Franciacorta compared to Champagne is a relatively young beverage, having been produced only in the 1960's. Behind the creation of high quality sparkling wines there is a brilliant man with a contagious liking called Franco Ziliani. He was the first to produce a double fermentation sparkling wine in Italy, and the famous Franciacorta wineries which still exist today are his followers.
Grapes used to make Franciacorta are Chardonnay 85%, Pinot Blanc and Pinot Noir. The latter is a red variety. The process is exactly the same of the production of Champagne in France: first the still wines are made and then they are blended in order to produce the cuvée. The beverage is bottled, fermented and after fermentation it is freed from sediments.
The different styles of Franciacorta are characterized by different dosages of liqueur added after disgorgement.
Dosages:
Non Dosato (sugar down to 3 g/l, natural residual in wine) - It is the driest of the Franciacorta range.
Extra brut (sugar up to 6 g/l) - Very dry.
Brut (sugar up to 12 g/l) - Dry but a little softer than Extra brut.
Extra dry (sugar 12-17 g/l) - Soft, with a slightly higher dosage than the classic Brut, it is suitable for a wide variety of foods.
Sec or Dry (sugar 17-32 g/l) - Less dry and slightly sweet.
Demi-sec (sugar 33-50 g/l). Sweetish flavor due to the rather high sugar dosage, goes well with dessert.
Typologies:
Franciacorta DOCG: at least 18 months
Franciacorta DOCG Satèn: at least 24 months
Franciacorta DOCG rosé: at least 24 months
Franciacorta DOCG millesimato: at least 30 months
Franciacorta DOCG reserve: at least 60 months
Lo Italian Champagne has a straw yellow color with greenish or golden hues. The bouquet of flavors is accompanied by aromas typical of the fermentation in bottle: bread crust, yeast, enriched by subtle hints of citrus fruits and dried fruits (almonds, hazelnuts, dried white figs). Franciacorta has a dry, balanced, full bodied, very elegant and sapid taste with a fine and persistent perlage.
At landofwines.com you will find a wide selection of Franciacorta Wines. We are waiting for you!
