12. Franciacorta Flashcards
What are the primary aroma and flavor characteristics of Franciacorta sparkling wine? What is the quality level and price point?
Ripe apple and peach fruit Prominent biscuit-like autolytic notes Medium alcohol Medium + acidity Very good to outstanding quality Premium price
What are 3 primary differences between Franciacorta and Champagne?
Franciacorta wines typically are: 1. Higher alcohol 2. Riper fruit 3. Lower acidity than Champagne
Describe the climate of Franciacorta
Warm continental with moderating influences.
Cool air descends in summer from Alps to the north
Lake Iseo -moderates daily/seasonal temp ranges
Spring frost can be an issue
What is the influence of rain in Franciacorta
- Rainfall adequate
- Nearly half falls in autumn/winter
- Rain during spring can lead to problems with flowering and fruit set
- Many growers have irrigation and use as necessary
- Grapes picked early (2nd half of August into Sep) to avoid autumn rains
How many different soil types are found in Franciacorta? What are the different aroma notes that these emphasize?
6 different soils types
Floral, dried fruit, spicy, vegetal notes
What are the primary varietals planted in Franciacorta?
Chardonnay (75%), Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc
What is minimum planting density of new vineyards?
4,500 plants/ha
What type of training systems are prohibited in Franciacorta?
Heavy cropping training systems (e.g. pergola, Geneva double curtain)
What are the primary training systems used in Franciacorta?
Cordon training with spur pruning or head training with replacement cane pruning (Guyot)
True or false - vineyards in Franciacorta are dominated by cooperatives
FALSE. There are very few cooperatives. Nearly all grapes are estate-grown
What percent of estates are organic in Franciacorta?
75%
How are grapes pressed for Franciacorta wines?
Whole-bunch pressed - required by regulations
Pinot noir for rose wines and red wines (for blending to make rose) can be destemmed
How do most producers ferment and age wines?
In stainless steel tanks to preserve primary fruit
For added complexity, especially in Millesimato & Riserva wines, a proportion may be fermented and/or aged in old oak.
Practice varies for malolactic conversion
Smaller producers rarely use reserve wines, but large producers do
What are the 5 different classes of Franciacorta wines and the minimum time on lees for each?
- Non-vintage - 18 months
- Saten - 24 months
- Rose’ - 24 months
- Millesimato - 30 months
- Riserva - 60 months
True or False - most Franciacorta wines are vintage
True, although most not labeled as such because of long time required on lees to be sold as vintage (Millesimato) - 30 months
What is the typical varietal blend of Non-vintage wines?
Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, although up to 50% Pinot Blanco
What are the requirements for Saten wines?
- Only made from white grapes - mostly 100% Chardonnay
- Min 24 months on lees
- Slightly less sugar at tirage - no more than 5 atmospheres pressure
- Only Brut style
What are requirements for Rose wines?
- Minimum 35% Pinot Noir - most blends of Chardonnay/Pino Noir
- Color by direct press or short maceration on skins
- Blending with red wine permitted
- Minimum 24 months on lees
What are requirements for Millesimato wines? Riserva?
- Declared vintage
- Minimum 85% of fruit from that year
- 30 months on lees
- Riserva - same but 60 months on lees
Discuss the production of Franciacorta in terms of number/concentration of producers, import/export and growth
- 3 companies produce 1/3 of all Franciacorta - Guido Berlucchi, Ca’ del Bosco, Bellavista
- Total production more than doubled between 2007-2016
- 90% domestic/10% export
- Switzerland, Japan, Germany, USA biggest export markets - +60%
