Franciacorta

The Protected Designation of Origin "Franciacorta" (DOCG) includes five types of wine: base, Satèn, Rosé, Millesimato and Riserva.

Grapes

Franciacorta and its Rosé, Millesimato and Riserva types must be produced using grapes from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir vines, with the possibility of making Pinot Blanc compete, within a limit of 50%. Moreover, for Franciacorta Rosé it is compulsory to use Pinot Noir for at least 25%. While the same blend cannot be used for the production of Satèn.

Physicochemical and Organoleptic properties

The "Franciacorta base" and the variants Millesimato and Riserva are straw yellow, with intensity that varies up to golden. The foam is fine and intense. The aroma is delicate and complex, with typical notes of refermentation in the bottle. In the Riserva variant, the copper reflections and the scents of the long aging can be noticed. The taste is savory, fine and harmonious. The variants Rosè and Rosè Millesimato appear pink, in the latter case with copper reflections. Delicate, broad and complex bouquet, with typical notes of Pinot Noir. The taste is savoury, fresh and harmonious. The Franciacorta Satèn (also Millesimato and Riserva) varies from straw yellow to golden. Fine and delicate smell, savoury and harmonious taste. In the Millesimato there are notes of refermentation in the bottle, and in the Riserva those of aging. All Franciacorta wines have a minimum alcohol content of 11.50% vol.

Grape production area

The production area falls entirely within the province of Brescia. A territory delimited to the east by the hills of Rodengo, Ome, Gussago and Cellatica, to the north by Lake Iseo and the Rhaetian Alps, to the west by the river Oglio and to the south by Mount Orfano.

Specificity and historical notes

Viticulture is currently the main economic activity in the Franciacorta area. This tradition has its roots in prehistoric times, as evidenced by the discovery of grape seeds in the area of Provaglio d'Iseo.