Franciacorta DOCG

Question 1

Where
History of Franciacorta and who?
DOC / DOCG granted?
No of producers? Mkt Leader? Qty? Dom/Expt?
Climate / Soils / Plantings / Area / Viti regs

Answer 1

NW Italy, Lombardy, 19 Communes Lago d’Iseo to North
Making still wines since 1270s
Sparkle since 1961 Trad Meth only
First made Franco Zilliani of Berlucchi Winery
1967 DOC Sparkle and Still
1995 DOCG for Sparkling
110 Producers 17m bottles 80% Italy / 20% Expt
Berlucchi Winery 25%
Warm Conti +Breeze from Lago d’Iseo to North and Northerly winds from the Alps
Soil - Thin Sand, Gravel, Limestone - Free drain
Plant Rolling Hills 100m to 550m (permitted max) = wide diurnal
4,500 ha
Viti Regs - Old vines Pergola. From 1990 MUST Guyot / Cordon
Max yld 70hl/ha Hand Pick, Whole bunch

Question 2

Franciacorta
Grapes - 3 Trad
One experimental - since when? Character?
Pressing?
1st Ferment
2nd Ferment not before
Min abv%

Answer 2

Chardonnay - Dominant, value Citrus and Autolysis notes
Pinot Nero (Noir) Min 35% in Rosato
Pinot Bianco (Blanc) Max 50% usually less
Erbamat from 2017 Hi Acid, late ripen Max 10% not Saten
Min pot 9.5% Erbamat 9%
Pressing 65ltr / 100kg (almost same as Champs)
1st Ferm Steel or Wood
2nd in Bottle not before 1st Feb
Min abv 11.5% (usually 12.5%)
5-6 Bar except Saten <5

Question 3

Franciacorta Styles
Min abv%
Grape Blend
Lees
Release
Earliest Release after Harvest
Dosage

Answer 3

11.5% NV Min 50% Chard / Max 50% PB Min 18mo Lees 25mo aft H’vest Brut Nature ~ Demi-Sec 5~6 Bar
11.5% Rosé Min 35% PN Min 24mo Lees 25mo aft H’vest
Brut Nature ~ Demi-Sec 5~6 Bar
11.5% NV Saten 100% Chard (BdeB) Min 24mo 25mo aft H’vest
Brut Only <5 Bar (same rules apply to all extra ageing)
11.5% Millesimato Min 85% Vintage Min 30mo Lees 37mo after H’vest
Brut Nat~Ex Dry Only 5~6 Bar*
11.5% Riserva 85% Vintage 60mo Lees 67mo after Harvest
Brut Nat~Ex Dry Only* 5~6 Bar*

Question 4

Franciacorta producers

Answer 4

Berlucchi >25%
Ca Del Bosco
Bellavista