Franciacorta Flashcards
FRANCIACORTA- Highlights
Where is Franciacorta and what quality standard is achievable?
Italy’s largest production region for traditional method sparking
Chard and PN
Lombardy Central Italy
Can achieve very good to outstanding quality
high standards of viticulture and winemaking required
FRANCIACORTA- Highlights
describe aromas and flavors of Franciacorta? & quality
ripe apple, peach fruit
prominent biscuit-like autolytic
med alcohol
med + acidity
very good to outstanding equity & premium priced
FRANCIACORTA- Growing Env and Grape Growing
What is the climate like here?
warm continental with moderating influence
compact zone surrounded by low hills & with Lake Iseo Northern boarder -vineyards on gentle slopes
cool air descends from Alps
Lake Iseo has a moderating effect on daily & seasonal temps
FRANCIACORTA- Growing Env and Grape Growing consider the amount of rainfall here? and hazzards?
adequate with nearly half falling in fall and winter
Spring rain can lead to issues with flowering & fruit set
During summer rain can lead to downy mildew and botrytis
-some grower have irrigation installed
FRANCIACORTA- Growing Env and Grape Growing consider harvest?
2nd half of August into September to avoid fall rain
Trento has a shorter ripening period
Vintage variation is limited (bar 2014 rainy & cool execption)
FRANCIACORTA- Growing Env and Grape Growing
consider the soil?
Mixed due to glaciers
6 main soil types identified
Range of expression base wines that are used for blending
each soil emphasize the floral notes, the dried fruit notes and the spicy and vegetal notes
FRANCIACORTA- Growing Env and Grape Growing
Varietal choices and amounts?
Chardonnay = 75%
PN and Pinot Blanc in little bits
FRANCIACORTA- Growing Env and Grape Growing
density and training?
Density for new vineyards 4,500 plants/ Ha
heavy cropping training is prohibited (no pergola or Geneva Double curtain)
Cordon training with spur pruning or head training with replacement -cane pruning (Guyot)
FRANCIACORTA- Growing Env and Grape Growing
vineyard practices and business model
75% are organic – regions aspires 100%
few growers and no co-operatives
Business model is mainly estate-grown
-have resources to grow high quality grapes
FRANCIACORTA- Winemaking
Harvest and press?
must be whole bunch pressed
ensure high quality juice w/ low phenolic content
PN can be destemmed when using for rose and for red wines
max yield after pressing is limited to 65 hL/ha
FRANCIACORTA- Winemaking
fermentation and ageing options
most producers ferment & age wine in stainless steel
for added complexity in Millesimato and Riserva wines, a portions may be fermented in aged old oak
MLF choice varies
reserve wine is rare with smaller producers
-larger producer may used to add complexity
most wine in practice is vintage wines
FRANCIACORTA- Winemaking
2nd fermentation
traditional method
18 months for basic NV on the lees (but often held more)
weight of fruit is matched by noticeable biscuit like autolytic aromas
FRANCIACORTA- Winemaking
Name the styles allowed in the DOCG?
Non-vintage
Saten
Rose
Millesimato
Riserva
FRANCIACORTA- Winemaking
Non-vintage?
typically Chard/ PN blends
may have up to 50% Pinot Blanc
18 months on lees
often made from fruit of the same vintage
FRANCIACORTA- Winemaking
Saten?
can be made from white grapes (in practice 100% chard)
wine must 24 moths on lees & slightly less sugar at triage
pressure => 5 ATM
produced in Brut style only
