12. Franciacorta

Question 1

What are the primary aroma and flavor characteristics of Franciacorta sparkling wine? What is the quality level and price point?

Answer 1

Ripe apple and peach fruit
Prominent biscuit-like autolytic notes
Medium alcohol
Medium + acidity
Very good to outstanding quality
Premium price

Question 2

What are 3 primary differences between Franciacorta and Champagne?

Answer 2

Franciacorta wines typically are:
1. Higher alcohol
2. Riper fruit
3. Lower acidity
than Champagne

Question 3

Describe the climate of Franciacorta

Answer 3

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

Question 4

What is the influence of rain in Franciacorta

Answer 4

1. Rainfall adequate
2. Nearly half falls in autumn/winter
3. Rain during spring can lead to problems with flowering and fruit set
4. Many growers have irrigation and use as necessary
5. Grapes picked early (2nd half of August into Sep) to avoid autumn rains

Question 5

How many different soil types are found in Franciacorta? What are the different aroma notes that these emphasize?

Answer 5

6 different soils types

Floral, dried fruit, spicy, vegetal notes

Question 6

What are the primary varietals planted in Franciacorta?

Answer 6

Chardonnay (75%), Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc

Question 7

What is minimum planting density of new vineyards?

Answer 7

4,500 plants/ha

Question 8

What type of training systems are prohibited in Franciacorta?

Answer 8

Heavy cropping training systems (e.g. pergola, Geneva double curtain)

Question 9

What are the primary training systems used in Franciacorta?

Answer 9

Cordon training with spur pruning or head training with replacement cane pruning (Guyot)

Question 10

True or false - vineyards in Franciacorta are dominated by cooperatives

Answer 10

FALSE. There are very few cooperatives. Nearly all grapes are estate-grown

Question 11

What percent of estates are organic in Franciacorta?

Answer 11

75%

Question 12

How are grapes pressed for Franciacorta wines?

Answer 12

Whole-bunch pressed - required by regulations

Pinot noir for rose wines and red wines (for blending to make rose) can be destemmed

Question 13

How do most producers ferment and age wines?

Answer 13

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

Question 14

What are the 5 different classes of Franciacorta wines and the minimum time on lees for each?

Answer 14

1. Non-vintage - 18 months
2. Saten - 24 months
3. Rose’ - 24 months
4. Millesimato - 30 months
5. Riserva - 60 months

Question 15

True or False - most Franciacorta wines are vintage

Answer 15

True, although most not labeled as such because of long time required on lees to be sold as vintage (Millesimato) - 30 months

Question 16

What is the typical varietal blend of Non-vintage wines?

Answer 16

Chardonnay/Pinot Noir, although up to 50% Pinot Blanco

Question 17

What are the requirements for Saten wines?

Answer 17

1. Only made from white grapes - mostly 100% Chardonnay
2. Min 24 months on lees
3. Slightly less sugar at tirage - no more than 5 atmospheres pressure
4. Only Brut style

Question 18

What are requirements for Rose wines?

Answer 18

1. Minimum 35% Pinot Noir - most blends of Chardonnay/Pino Noir
2. Color by direct press or short maceration on skins
3. Blending with red wine permitted
4. Minimum 24 months on lees

Question 19

What are requirements for Millesimato wines? Riserva?

Answer 19

1. Declared vintage
2. Minimum 85% of fruit from that year
3. 30 months on lees
4. Riserva - same but 60 months on lees

Question 20

Discuss the production of Franciacorta in terms of number/concentration of producers, import/export and growth

Answer 20

1. 3 companies produce 1/3 of all Franciacorta - Guido Berlucchi, Ca’ del Bosco, Bellavista
2. Total production more than doubled between 2007-2016
3. 90% domestic/10% export
4. Switzerland, Japan, Germany, USA biggest export markets - +60%