Sunday, March 24th
SPECIAL TASTING EVENT:
Franciacorta - The Other Italian Sparkling Wine
Our Regional Vice President, Rich Ryba, has
arranged a Skype tasting with the Berlucchi winery at the Harmarville Comfort
Inn. We have used this venue before for the Sherry tasting event and the people
there are great hosts. Berlucchi is an icon in the world of Italian wine and a
pioneer of the classical method in Franciacorta, whose passion gave origin to
the very first Franciacorta in 1961.
We are hoping for a large turnout. Our
response is an indication to this winery of how interested the American Wine
Society and our region is in Franciacorta wines and in Berlucchi Winery. They
are very excited about this event and we want us to reciprocate that
excitement. Specifics about the time
will follow soon.
What is Franciacorta?
Most wine drinkers assume “if it’s Italian and
bubbly, then it must be Prosecco”. If you like sparkling wine and Italian
wines, you’re probably already know about prosecco (and Lambrusco). Well,
there’s another Italian sparkling wine: Franciacorta.
If you haven’t heard
of it, don’t worry. Franciacorta is one of Italy’s best kept secrets because
they keep most of it for themselves. And, unlike places with a history of
winemaking such as Tuscany, Franciacorta got its DOCG status as recently as
1995. But that doesn’t make it any less of a wine. It means is there’s more to discover.
Franciacorta Is Made in The Champagne Method
Named for the region
where it's produced, Franciacorta wine is made in the “Champenoise” style or
Traditional Method, so Franciacorta has a lot more in common with Champagne
than prosecco. That’s why you hear some refer to Franciacorta as Italian champagne. Rather
than getting the sparkle from a second fermentation in the tank, as prosecco
does, Franciacorta becomes carbonated during its in-bottle secondary
fermentation, giving it a drier, more yeasty taste.
Don’t Call It “The Champagne of
Italy"
Yes, you’ll hear
Franciacorta referred to as Italian champagne. While Franciacorta winemakers
take their methods from Champagne, it remains a truly Italian wine. Yes, the
name means, literally, “short France,” but that’s more of a historic reference to
Charlemagne than it is to Champagne.
While Franciacorta is like
Champagne in that the two primary grapes used are Chardonnay and Pinot Noir,
they stray from the French by allowing Pinot Blanc into the mix. The production
is also heavily regulated: wines can have up to 85% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Noir,
and 5% Pinot Blanc and each different designation of Franciacorta is required
to spend specific amounts of time, aging, and contact with the yeast.
It’s the Sparkling Wine of Choice for Italian Fashion
Houses
Having been named the
official wine of Milan Fashion Week several times, it’s no surprise
Franciacorta wines are deeply connected to Italy’s fashion elite. That means
when you see editors and celebrities sipping glasses of bubbles next to a
runway, it’s almost certain those glasses are filled with Franciacorta. There’s
even a designation of Franciacorta called Satèn (which must have a minimum of
50% Chardonnay and up to 50% Pinot Blanc) named for the region’s connection to
Milan and the fashion industry. The Satèn style is stored at lower pressure, so
its carbonation is much more smooth, like satin.
Franciacorta Is Food Friendly
As a dry sparkling
wine, the pairing options for Franciacorta are pretty much endless. Polenta,
delicate pastas, white fish, and roasted meats are always good options,
especially considering the region’s many lakes and the fact that it’s in
polenta country. Franciacorta's location in Lombardy places it in the rice bowl
of Italy, which means risotto is great, too.
CHECK THE BLOGSPOT OFTEN FOR MORE DETAILS!
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