Franciacorta
What is it?
Franciacorta is another sparkling white wine, though this one is from Italy, primarily. It uses the same grapes as Champagne wines. Still wines that were the precursor to Franciacorta have been documented as early as the 1200s. In 1961, a young winemaker was given permission to make a sparkling version of the wine. This started the ascension of Franciacorta as a wine; over the next 6 years. 10 other winemakers began making Franciacorta. Franciacorta is a DOCG wine, and it was actually the first sparkling wine to specify that winemakers had to use specific methods. Franciacorta is also the only Italian wine for which winemakers do not have to declare the DOCG status on the label -- all Franciacorta produced is DOCG.
Primary flavors are lemon, peach, white cherry, almond, and toast. Suggested pairings are soft cheeses, fruits, and nuts. Like many sparkling wines, Franciacorta should be served cold and in a flute glass. We are enjoying using our new wine glasses (thanks, Ellen/Mom!)
Molly's Rating and Tasting Notes
6.9. I think I like it slightly less than the Cava. Some toasty notes with a little bit of citrus. It isn't as fizzy as the Cava, which I appreciate. The nose is quite fruity. When the wine is colder, I get more green apple and lemon than otherwise. I could see how this would be good with some cheese and crackers.
Ryan's Rating and Tasting Notes
7.5 On the nose I get cured meats and roasated nuts. There is also a little bit of lemon, cherry, and fermentation that I pick up as well. Upon tasting, I get a lot of almond, and maybe some vanilla, lemon, quince, and possibly butter. I should comment that it is not intensely flavorful, and most of the notes mentioned above are quite delicate. The mouth feel is a little bit harsh, but not unpleasant. The finish stays with you, and has the weird quality of feeling acidic, but tasting basic. Overall a decent sparkling wine, with a unique flavor profile.
References
[1] Madeline Puckette and Justin Hammack. Wine Folly: The Master Guide. Avery - A Penguin Imprint, New York, NY, 2018.
[2] "Franciacorta." Wine Folly. https://winefolly.com/wines/franciacorta/. Accessed: August 2023.
[3] Stevenson, Tom (2008). "Savor: Franciacorta de Meglio in Meglio", The World of Fine Wine. https://www.champagnesparklingwwc.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/WFW20StevensonFranciacortaTasting.pdf. Accessed: August 2023.
Wines we haven't finished
- Week 29 - Vino Nobile di Montepulciano