Oltrepò and Franciacorta, discover the wines of Lombardia

LOMBARDIAN BUBBLES FROM FRANCIACORTA TO OLTREPO' PAVESE

The territory of Franciacorta is bounded to the east by the rocky moraine hills of Rodengo, Ome, Gussago and Cellatica, to the north by the southern shores of Lago d'Iseo and the last foothills of the Alpi Retiche, to the west by the Oglio river and finally to the south by Monte Orfano.

The name Franciacorta derives from the "franchae curtes", meaning the courts exempted from the payment of customs duties to reward those who reclaimed and cultivated the land.

The current territory as it is delimited today was already described and defined in the act of the Doge of Venice Francesco Foscari in 1429, when the area was under the rule of the Serenissima.

This area gives rise to different vegeto-productive behaviors.
The dynamics of grape ripening are in fact quite varied, as are the sensory characteristics of the base wines.
Through zoning studies, six distinct vocational units were identified in the 1990s.
From this develops the foundation for creating the Cuvée, a fundamental art in the production of wines made with the classic method – the Cuvée, meaning the blending of different base wines from specific pedo-landscape units.

Here the bond between wine and territory is encapsulated in the fact that both are identified, together with the production method, by the single term Franciacorta.


When the Doc was established in 1967, particularly for the sparkling wine category, the most suitable grape variety was identified as Pinot, then also known as Pinot chardonnay.
It was not until 1980, thanks to official ampelography, that clarity was achieved by clearly distinguishing the two grape varieties, Pinot bianco and Chardonnay, still the only ones permitted today, along with Pinot nero.

Finally, in 1995, the highest recognition of quality for Italian wines was specifically dedicated – the Denominazione di origine controllata e garantita – which marked the turning point of an ever-growing acknowledgment of the indissoluble bond between this wine and its territory, choosing the term Franciacorta as the sole identifier for both the wine and the production method.

The sensory profile of Franciacorta wines is enriched during the aging process following refermentation.

Franciacorta wines typically present visually as straw yellow with greenish or golden reflections, with possible copper-tinted reflections in the Riserva version.
The perlage is fine and persistent.
On the nose, the bouquet presents the characteristic notes of bottle fermentation, with typical hints of bread crust and yeast accompanied by delicate notes of citrus and dried fruit (almond, hazelnut, dried white fig), making the sensory profile distinctly recognizable as a product of the territory.
On the palate, with a savory, fresh, refined and harmonious flavor.


For Franciacorta, the permitted varieties are: Chardonnay and/or Pinot nero;
Pinot bianco grapes may also contribute up to a maximum of 50%.

For the production of "Franciacorta" Rosé, the percentage of Pinot nero grapes vinified as rosé must be at least 25% of the total.

For the production of "Franciacorta" Satèn, the use of Pinot nero grapes is not permitted.

The term Franciacorta Satèn was specifically created in Franciacorta to distinguish itself from its transalpine cousins who produce Cremant, who, as with the Champagne appellation, have claimed ownership of the term.
For Satèn, the overpressure must not exceed 4.5 BAR.

FRANCIACORTA wines are distinguished by their minimum aging periods. (Minimum duration in months):

• "Franciacorta" 18
• "Franciacorta" Rosé 24
• "Franciacorta" Satèn 24
• "Franciacorta" millesimato, "Franciacorta" Rosé millesimato "Franciacorta" Satèn millesimato 30
• "Franciacorta" riserva, "Franciacorta" Rosé riserva, "Franciacorta" Satèn riserva 60.

Oltrepò Pavese: a melting pot of territories

Oltrepò Pavese is that hilly stretch of land in southern Lombardia known for being the meeting point of four regions: Lombardia, Piemonte, Liguria and Emilia Romagna.

This land is an ancient home of the vine, and over the decades viticulture has maintained its role as the primary crop of the territory.
In 1970, the wine Oltrepò Pavese Spumante, produced using the Metodo Classico, was recognized as a type within the DOC Oltrepò Pavese.
Finally, in 2007, it was elevated to an autonomous DOCG.
The DOCG Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico covers several wine types (Metodo Classico white and rosé and Metodo Classico with varietal designation Pinot nero white and rosé)
Wines under the DOCG Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico typically present a crystalline straw yellow color and, in the rosé type, a more or less intense pink color.
The bouquet in these wines is also typical of bottle fermentation, elegant, delicate, broad and persistent; on the palate they are savory, structured, fresh and harmonious; the foam is fine and persistent.


The OLTREPÒ PAVESE wines, also produced in Lombardia, differ from FRANCIACORTA in their grape blends and aging periods, let's see:

"Oltrepò Pavese" metodo classico and "Oltrepò Pavese" metodo classico rosé:
Pinot nero: minimum 70%; Chardonnay, Pinot grigio and Pinot bianco jointly or separately up to a maximum of 30%.
the minimum lees aging period is 15 months (24 months for millesimato);

"Oltrepò Pavese" metodo classico Pinot nero and "Oltrepò Pavese" metodo classico Pinot nero rosé:
Pinot nero: minimum 85%; Chardonnay, Pinot grigio and Pinot bianco jointly or separately up to a maximum of 15%.
The minimum lees aging period is 15 months (24 months for millesimato)

Wishing you the opportunity to try and appreciate, as soon as possible, these wonderful wines born of love and passion, I send my greetings to all the friends who follow Wine at Wine

CHEERS AND BUBBLES ;)