Franciacorta

Denomination: DOCG
Grape base: Chardonnay, Pinot varieties and permitted Erbamat
Region: Lombardy

Maturation requirements

Minimum time on the lees, from tirage to disgorgement. Millesimato and Riserva requirements also apply to Rosé and Satèn.

Franciacorta

Minimum: At least 18 months

Rosé / Satèn

Minimum: At least 24 months

Millesimato

Minimum: At least 30 months

Riserva

Minimum: At least 60 months

Sparkling wine in a glacial amphitheater

The hills south of Lake Iseo hold many distinct vineyard soils.

Franciacorta occupies a broad moraine amphitheater shaped by the glacier that descended from Valcamonica. Lake Iseo moderates the nearby climate, while the varied soils give growers different base wines to combine. Chardonnay and Pinot Nero are central grapes, with other permitted varieties depending on the style. Bottle fermentation and removal of the sediment by disgorgement define the wine’s production.

Satèn has a separate grape recipe

Satèn requires at least 50% Chardonnay and allows up to 50% Pinot Bianco. The Pinot Nero and Erbamat permissions for other Franciacorta styles do not extend to Satèn.

The delimited Brescia territory

The grape zone covers suitable land in whole or specified parts of municipalities in Brescia province, south of Lake Iseo, within the detailed denomination boundary.

Lombardy