Franciacorta Flashcards

1
Q

What is Italy’s largest producing region for traditional sparkling wine?

A

Franciacorta

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2
Q

What is Franciacorta principally made from?

A

Chardonnay and Pinot Noir

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3
Q

Where in Italy is Franciacorta located?

A

central northern Italy in Lombardy

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4
Q

What quality wines are Franciacorta wines?

A

very good to outstanding “Champagne style”

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5
Q

General SAT for Franciacorta

A

ripe apple and peach fruit flavor, prominent brioche and or biscuit-like autolytic notes,
med alcohol
med + acidity
very good or outstanding quality
premium priced

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6
Q

Where are the vineyards of Franciacorta?

A

compact zone in Italy mostly surrounded by low hills with Lake Iseo at the Northern boundary

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7
Q

What is the climate for Franciacorta

A

warm continental with moderating influences, cool air descends from the Alps during the summer that are to the north of the region. most vineyards on gentle slopes

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8
Q

How does Lake Iseo impact Franciacorta

A

moderating effect on daily and seasonal temp ranges, though spring frosts can be an issue in the most difficult years

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9
Q

How does the climate in Franciacorta impact the grapes

A

contributes to fruit that ripens regularly while retaining its acidity.

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10
Q

What is rainfall like in Franciacorta region?

A

adequate rainfall with nearly half of it falling in autumn and winter

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11
Q

What can rain in the spring impact

A

problems with flowering and fruit set - and during the season in general the need to combat downey mildew and botrytis

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12
Q

What is irrigation like in Franciacorta?

A

most producers have it installed and can use it if necessary

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13
Q

When does harvest occur?

A

earlier than in trento (second half of August into Sept) to avoid autumn rain but have shorter ripening period

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14
Q

Is there a large vintage variation in Franciacorta wines?

A

it is limited - except for 2014 - where there was an exception

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15
Q

what is the soil in the Franciacorta region

A

mixed owning to their formation through the action of glaciers - 6 main soil types - aids in variation in expression in base wines that are used for blending to add complexity to the wines

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16
Q

What do different soil types in Franciacorta emphasize

A

floral notes, dried fruit notes, and spicy vegetal notes

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17
Q

What varietals are found in Franciacorta?

A

Chardonnay - 75%
Pinot Noir is widely grown and Pinot Blanc continues to be grown but little is being planted

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18
Q

What training systems are prohibited in Franciacorta?

A

heavy cropping training systems such as pergola and Geneva Double curtain

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19
Q

What training systems are the norm in Franciacorta

A

since 1990s cordon training with spur pruning or head training which replacement cane pruning (Guyot)

20
Q

what is the percentage of estates that are organic?

A

75% with the aspiration of 100%

21
Q

how many growers and co-operatives are there in franciacorta?

A

few growers and no co-operatives

22
Q

how are nearly all Franciacorta grapes grown?

A

estate grown

23
Q

how are estates motivated to grow the grapes in Franciacorta?

A

high quality - contributing to high quality wines

24
Q

How are grapes pressed in Franciacorta for white wines?

A

fruit must be whole bunch pressed (required by regulations) to ensure high quality juice with low phenolic content

25
Q

How are grapes pressed in Franciacorta for red and rose wines?

A

they can be whole bunch pressed or destemmed

26
Q

what is the max yield permitted in franciacorta?

A

65 hl/ha

27
Q

How do most producers ferment wine in Franciacorta?

A

in stainless steel to preserve primary fruit flavors

28
Q

How are Millesimato and Riserva wines fermented

A

for more complexity - in old oak

29
Q

Is malolactic conversion used in Franciacorta?

A

depends on the producer

30
Q

Is reserve wine used in franciacorta?

A

small producers rarely use reserve wines; larger producers do use reserve wines for extra complexity and depth

31
Q

Are wines from Franciacorta vinatge wines?

A

most are in theory vintage wines, however they will not be labeled as such because the long time on lees required by wines sold as Millesimato

32
Q

What style must wines be made by in Franciacorta

A

traditional method

33
Q

what is the min time on lees for Franciacorta wines?

A

18 months for basic non vintage wines, but min is often far exceeded

34
Q

What styles are allowed in Franciacorta DOCG?

A

Non vintage
Saten
Rose
Millesimato
Riserva

35
Q

Explain non vintage wines of Franciacorta DOCG

A

typically Chardonnay/Pinot Noir blends that may also have up to 50% Pinot Blanc

min 18 months on lees

often made from fruit of single vintage

36
Q

Explain Saten wines from Franciacorta DOCG

A

made from white grapes - in practice mostly 100% chardonnay

min 24 months on lees and slightly less sugar on tirage

pressure not more than 5 atmospheres

only in Brut style

37
Q

Explain Rose wines from franciacorta DOCG

A

min 35% Pinot Noir most styles are blends of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay

producers can extract color from Pinot noir either by direct press or short maceration

blending with red wine is also permitted

min 24 mths on lees required

38
Q

Explain Millesimato wines from Franciacorta DOCG

A

vintage declared
min 85% of fruit from that year
min 30 mths on lees

39
Q

Explain Riserva wines from Franciacorta DOCG

A

Millesimato wines that have spent min of 60 mths on lees

40
Q

What styles apply to Franciacorta wines

A

standard Eu styles including Brut Nature

41
Q

When was franciacorta was allowed to print “Franciacorta” on the label of their model of champagne

A

2003

42
Q

What is the Franciacorta Consorzio?

A

well supported body that represents virtually all producers.

carried out zoning studies to help growers understand the types of soils better with a view to continuing to raise quality

43
Q

What is production divided between in franciacorta

A

3 large companies - Guido Berlucchi, Ca’ del Bosco and Bellavista - produce about 1/3 of all Franciacorta

and many medium and small sized estates

44
Q

how much did production grow from 2007-2016 in franciacorta

A

nearly doubled 17.5 bottles sold in 2018

45
Q

How much Franciacorta is domestic sales?

A

90 - mostly hospitality sector

46
Q

How much Franciacorta is exported?

A

10% - Switzerland, Japan, Germany, USA - account for 60% of exports