Franciacorta

In the heart of Lombardy lies Franciacorta, where elegant bubbles are made that can surprise even the most seasoned Champagne lover.

Franciacorta origin and history

Franciacorta is located in Lombardy, around Lake Iseo and the city of Brescia. The name first appeared in the Middle Ages. The region only truly began producing sparkling wine at a high level in the 1960s. In 1967 Franciacorta was granted DOC status, and in 1995 this was upgraded to DOCG, the highest quality category in Italy. That is quite remarkable, as not many Italian appellations are allowed to carry the DOCG title. Today, Franciacorta is regarded as the benchmark for Italian sparkling wine.

The word Franciacorta comes from ‘curte franca’, meaning tax-free. The monks who lived in the area were exempt from taxes. A less romantic explanation is that franciacorta means little France, since many producers looked closely at Champagne for inspiration. The history of Franciacorta as a sparkling wine region really took off with pioneers Ca’ del Bosco and Berlucchi. They saw that the terroir and climate around Lake Iseo were perfect for sparkling wines. To bring the wines to the highest level, the Champagne model served as a reference point.

Location and climate of Franciacorta

The region lies between Lake Iseo and the foothills of the Alps. This brings cool nights, mild summers, and a constant breeze that keeps the grapes healthy. The soils are made up of limestone, sand, and gravel, which are perfect for Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco. Together they form the base of the crisp, elegant style Franciacorta is famous for.

Strict regulations for Franciacorta wine

The rules are clear and strict. Only Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and in smaller amounts Pinot Bianco are permitted. The traditional method is mandatory: a second fermentation in the bottle and extended aging on the lees. A basic Franciacorta must age at least 18 months, Satèn or Rosé at least 24 months, and Riserva even 60 months. This results in fine bubbles, complexity, and those typical brioche and toast notes also found in Champagne. There is also a maximum yield per hectare, ensuring that quality remains high.

How is Franciacorta made?

It all starts with a gentle pressing of the grapes. Only the first part of the juice, the ‘cuvée’, may be used. After the first fermentation, the wine is bottled with a little yeast and sugar. This is where the second fermentation begins. The bottles rest horizontally in cool cellars. Winemakers gradually turn them (remuage) so the sediment slides down towards the neck. Eventually, this is removed (dégorgement) and a small amount of dosage is added to set the style: from Brut Nature to Demi-Sec. The process closely resembles Champagne, but Franciacorta often shows softer acidity and a rounder mouthfeel.

Fun facts about Franciacorta

Franciacorta is the first Italian region that produces only sparkling wines with the traditional method and also holds DOCG status. Around 20 million bottles are made annually, far less than Champagne. This makes Franciacorta more exclusive and often less well-known. Another unique detail: Satèn is a style found only here. It is a softer version with lower pressure in the bottle and made exclusively from white grapes. The result is a creamy sparkling wine that is one of a kind in the sparkling wine world.

Order Franciacorta wine online?

At Grandcruwijnen you’ll find a fine selection of Franciacorta. All bottles are safely stored in our conditioned Wine Warehouse. When you order online, you can choose to have the wine delivered to your home or pick it up yourself in Dordrecht. If you select ‘Pick up’ during checkout, you’ll immediately see the discount you receive.