Describe the climate for Franciacorta (8)
- Climate is warm continental with moderating influences
- Cool air descends in the summer from the Alps
- Lake Iseo (to the north) exercises a moderating effect
- Despite moderating effects, spring frost still an issue
- Adequate rainfall
- Spring rain can lead to problems with fruit set & flowering
- Vintage variation is limited
- most vineyards on gentle slopes
What are the grape varieties for Franciacorta?
- Chardonnay (75% of the plantings)
- Pinot Noir
- Pinot Blanc
Are the estates in Franciacorta organic?
About 75% of the Franciacorta estates are organic and region aspires to be 100% organic
What are the maximum permitted yields for Franciacorta?
Max yields are 65 hL/ha
Describe Franciacorta
- Ripe apple, Peach, Prominent Biscuit-like autolytic notes
- Alcohol: Medium
- Acidity: Medium +
- Quality: Very good-outstanding
- Price: Premium
When is Harvest in the Franciacorta region?
Harvest is last half of August/into Sept with goal of avoiding Autumn rains
What training systems are used in Franciacorta?
- Heavy cropping systems (Geneva Double Curtain & Pergola now prohibited
- Now use Guyot and Cordon training with spur pruning or head training
What type of fermentation and ageing vessels are used in Franciacorta?
- mainly ferment & age in SS to preserve primary fruit
- to add complexity–especially with Millesimato and Reserva wines–some wines may be fermented and/or aged in old oak
Do Franciacorta wines go through MLC?
Practice varies with regard to MLC
Are reserve wines used in Franciacorta production?
- Smaller producers rarely use reserve wines
- Larger producers do use reserve wines for extra complexity and depth of flavour
Describe pressing in Franciacorta
- For white wine, whole bunch press is required to endure high quality juice and low phenolic content
- PN –for rosé wines and for red wines for blending to make rosé–CAN be destemmed
What are the five styles of Franciacorta wines?
- Non Vintage
- Satèn
- Rosé Franciacorta
- Millesimato (vintage)
- Riserva
What are the requirements for Non Vintage Franciacorta?
- typically Chardonnay and PN blend
- can have up to 50% Pinot Blanc
- in practice usually made from grapes of single vintage but not labeled as such due to the long lees ageing requirment (30 mos) for Millesimato (Vintage) Franciacorta
- min. 18 mos on lees
What are the requirements for Satèn Franciacorta?
- made from ONLY white grapes (in practice 100% chard)
- ONLY Brut style
- use less sugar at tirage and as a result pressure not exceeding 5 atmospheres
- _Min 24 months on le_es
What are the requirements for Rosé Franciacorta?
- minimum 35% PN
- in practice most are PN and Chardonnay blend
- Blending red with white wine permitted
- Colour extraction can come from either direct pressing or short maceration on the skins
- Min 24 mos on lees
What are the requirements for Millesimato Franciacorta?
- wines with vintage declared
- minimum 85% of fruit from vintage year
- Min 30 months on lees
What are the requirements for Riserva Franciacorta?
- must be Millesimato wine
- Min 60 mos on the lees
What are the three largest producers of Franciacorta?
- Ca’ del Bosco, Guido Berlucchi. Bellavista –these three account for 1/3 of all franciacorta production
- The rest is medium and small estates
What is the Franciacorta Consorzio?
- Industry association that represents nearly all Franciacorta producers;
- conducts zoning to studies to increase knowledge of soils to help increase quality
What are the percentage of import/export of Franciacorta?
- 90% remains in Italy, primarily in hospitality
- Export market in order: Switzerland, Japan, Germany and US
