Franciacorta
The word Franciacorta has many meanings - a growing area, a wine, a “method” to some. Franciacorta is a sparkling wine made in the traditional method (like Champagne) in Lombardy, Northern Italy. The area is not nearly as large as Champagne, coming in at 2,200 hectares planted in the DOCG of Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, Pinot Noir. Franciacorta is Italy’s largest producing region for traditional method sparkling wine, principally made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. It is Italy’s luxury sparkling wine = Champagne
The region’s climate conditions are ideal for growing grapes for sparkling wine - it has cool air from Alps, Lake Iso moderating influences and the warm continental temperatures all create grapes with high acidity, delicate flavors and just ripe conditions for sparkling wines. The wines typically have ripe apple and peach fruit and prominent biscuit-like, autolytic notes, medium alcohol and medium acidity. The wines are mostly 75% Chardonnay with Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc added, all depending on the style.
Here are some Label Tips when buying Franciacorta:
Non-vintage – These wines are typically Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blends that may also have up to 50 per cent Pinot Blanc. They must have a minimum of 18 months on lees.
Satèn – This style can only be made from white grapes (in practice mostly 100 per cent Chardonnay). The wines must have a minimum of 24 months on the lees and only Brut style
Rosé – This style must be a minimum of 35 per cent Pinot Noir and most examples are blends of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. A minimum of 24 months on the lees is required.
Millesimato – These are wines with the vintage declared. They must be made with a minimum
of 85 per cent of fruit from that year and spend a minimum of 30 months on the lees.
Riserva – These are millesimato wines that have spent a minimum of 60 months on the lees.
Now for the wine. - Paolo Radici, an industrialist from Bergamo, decided in 1996 to find a quiet getaway somewhere in the nearby hillside while being involved in the family business, Radici Partecipazioni . He unexpectedly stumbled upon an opportunity to purchase land in Franciacorta where he could pursue his boyhood dream of growing grapes and being a wine producer. His winery produces a Franciacorta Brut, a Franciacorta Brut Nature, a Saten Franciacorta Brut, a Rose Radijan Franciacorta Brut and a Franciacorta Centoventi of utmost quality and elegance.
Ronco Calino Franciacorta Brut is made from 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir with an average vine age of 20 years. Each vineyard parcel is vinified separately, to preserve its individuality. The wine undergoes ageing on the lees for a minimum of 30 months.
This particular Franciacorta is a pale lemon color. It has medium+ intensity of lemon, green apple, pear, peach, lemon, biscuit, brioche, toast, caramel, minerals, bitter almond and hazelnut. The palate is dry, medium + acid, medium body, medium alcohol, medium+ intensity of lemon, green apple, pear, peach, pineapple, lemon, biscuit, brioche, toast, caramel, minerals, bitter almond and hazelnut - creamy mousse. A lovely Sparkling - very smooth and balanced
Pair with a soft rind cheese such as Brie or Camembert, oysters with mignonette, white fish tartare, mussels with toasted bread crumbs or lemon herb sauce, grilled cod (or any white fish), chicken with cream basil sauce, avocado salad.
