Franciacorta DOCG (Italy)

Italian Franciacorta is produced the same way as French Champagne.

In Italy the production method is called Metodo Classico or Metodo Tradizionale.

Franciacorta Flavors

Citrus, Apple, Pear, and Strawberry are typical Franciacorta flavors.

Citrus

Apple

Pear

Strawberry

Fermentation flavors:

Butter

Yeast

Bread

Almonds

Tertiary Flavors from Aging:

Oak

Vanilla

Toast

Nuts

Franciacorta Profile

Metodo Classico wines have much the same profile as traditional Champagne:

SUGAR:	Dry 3g/l

BODY:	Medium

FRUIT:	Medium

ACIDITY:	High

ALCOHOL:	12-13% ABV

	Serving temperatures: 10-12°C (50-54°F)

Franciacorta Food Pairing

You can drink Sparkling Wines to almost everything whether it is French Champagne, Spanish Cava, or Italian Prosecco.

Sparkling wines pair well with salt, because the bubbles break up the salt in the mouth. Acidity and bubbles can also pair well with creamy and oily dishes.

Aperitif

Salads

Tapas

Sandwitch

Seafood

Oysters

Salmon

Sushi

Fries

Chicken

Turkey

Pork

Egg Dishes

Pasta

Risotto

Soft Cheese

Excellent pairings

Caesar Salad. Seafood Salad.
Hors-d'œuvre. Sandwich. Focaccia.
Tapas. Ham. Serrano. Prosciutto.
Seafood. Oysters. Clams.
Crab. Lobster. Caviar.
Cod. Tuna. Smoked Salmon.
Fried Chicken. Turkey. Pork.
Egg Dishes. Omelettte. Risotto.
Pasta. Ravioli. Macaroni with Cheese.
Asian Food. Springrolls.
Sushi. Sashimi.

Italian Specialities

Fritto Misto di Pesce (Deep Fried Fish).
Risotto ai Frutti di Mare (Risooto with Seafood).
Risotto with Asparagus.
White Fish (Sea Bass) with Polenta.
Lasagne with White Sauce.

The Ideal Glass for Franciacorta

A Champagne Glass with a bell that points to the bottom, allows a pilar of bubbles to build up inside the glass. This is not only beautiful, but also extends the "life" of the champagne.

A wide middle section lifts the aromas out of the wine. A smaller opening concentrates the scent to the nose and directs the drink to the front of the tongue where it heightens an experience of sweetness.

Franciacorta Cheese Pairing

Mozzarella

Brie

Taleggio

Chèvre

Parmesan

Robiola

Mozzarella di Bufala

The fresh, milky sweetness and delicate texture of Mozzarella di Bufala is a perfect match for Franciacorta's crispness. Combine with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for an elegant Caprese-style presentation.

Brie

The creamy, buttery texture and mild earthy flavors of Brie complement Franciacorta's crisp acidity and fine bubbles. Serve the cheese at room temperature with a slice of baguette or fig jam.

Taleggio

The creamy, slightly tangy, and earthy qualities of Taleggio pair well with the bubbles and freshness. Serve with crusty bread and dried figs.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre)

The tangy, fresh flavors of goat cheese align perfectly with Blanc de Blancs, highlighting the wine's crisp minerality. Add fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

The nutty, salty, and umami-rich flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano harmonize with Franciacorta's brightness and complexity. Break the cheese into chunks and drizzle with a touch of acacia honey.

Robiola or Gorgonzola Dolce

The creamy, mild blue cheese contrasts beautifully with Franciacorta's acidity, balancing its richness. Add walnuts or pear slices for a classic pairing.

Franchacorta DOCG

Franciacorta is a DOCG since 1995. It was the first Italian area to obtain a DOCG for production of Metodo Classico wines:

Area: Brescia in Lombardy
Grapes: Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco.
Method: Metodo Classico

The production method is the same as for French Champagne (Méthode Champenois).

The minimum ageing ranges from 18 months to several years for Riservas.

Franciacorta tastes like Champagne, but it is less expensive, and needs less "dosage" (added sugar for the second fermentation), because the warmer climate gives the grapes a higher sugar content.

Italian Sparkling

In Italy, Sparkling wines are called Frizzante or Spumante.

Frizzante Light bubbles (2.5 - 3.5 bars of pressure)	Spumante Fully sparkling (4 - 6 bars of pressure)
Prosecco	Prosecco Spumante
Moscato d'Asti	Asti Spumante
Pignoletto Frizzante	Pignoletto Spumante
Lambrusco

Italian Metodo Classico DOC(G)

Metodo Classico is the Italian name for wines produced the same way as Champagne.

DOC(G)	Grapes
Trentodoc DOC (1993)	Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco
Franciacorta DOCG (1995)	Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero.
Greco di Tufo DOCG (2003)	Greco (main grape)
Oltrepò Pavese DOCG (2007)	Pinot Nero (main grape)
Alta Langa DOCG (2011)	Minimum 90 % Chardonnay + Pinot Nero

Trentodoc was the first area in the world (after Champagne) to get a DOC for Traditional Method wines.

Wine Region Lombardia

Photo by SlimMars 13

Black Grapes

White Grapes

17% Croatina
15% Pinot Nero
12% Barbera

13% Chardonnay

Red Wines	White Wines
Bonarda Moscato di Scanzo Oltrepò Pavese Sforzato di Valtellina Valtellina Valtellina Superiore	Lugana Oltrepò Pavese Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio Turbiana