Italy’s Best Kept Wine Secret

            Located at the foot of the Alps, Franciacorta’s quality rivals that of Champagne

Don’t even think of uttering “Prosecco” because Franciacorta's bubbly is on a completely different planet.  Think of the Franciacorta wine district as the Lamborghini or Maserati of Italian sparkling wine.  In contrast, consider a well-made Prosecco the Fiat.  

Serious wine lovers know that the name Champagne by law can only be used if the wine is made in the geographical district east of Paris known as Champagne.  Cross the Alps into Italy and you’ll find Franciacorta's sparklers commanding equally high prices and delighting even the most experienced wine drinkers.   Producing elegant, complex sparkling wines with great depth and finish, Franciacorta is world-class and deserves its own category.

               The same grapes are used in Franciacorta as are used in the Champagne region

Made in the exact same labor-intensive process (aka expensive) as is used in the Champagne area, the Franciacorta sparkling wines can definitely compete on the world stage.  While both Franciacorta and Champagne use Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes, there are some interesting flavor facets due to their geographical differences and terroir.  For example, Franciacorta is mostly glacial soil, while Champagne is limestone. 

Just as terroir plays a significant role in aromas and flavors of non-bubble wines, it does so as well with sparklers.  One can expect some of the same classical notes in both Champagne and Franciacorta (think citrus, almond, along with flavors & aromas of toast, brioche & pastry due to their second fermentation in the bottle). Nuances between these two world-class sparkling wines are present.  Champagne is often austere, while Franciacorta offers riper fruit flavors and a softer mouthfeel.  In many ways I prefer Franciacorta because of this.

Ferghettina’s owner is President of the regional winemaker’s association.

Do you have one of the spaces on the sold-out 2026 autumn tour to Northern Italy?  If so, you’ll be guests at one of the premier makers of Franciacorta, Ferghettina.  We’ll be tasting a full lineup of these award-winning sparklers.

As December is a time for special celebrations, why not pop the cork of a Franciacorta?  (Fergettina comes to the US, and it’s striking hand-made bottle should be a hint of the quality bubbles inside.  Also, Ca del Bosco is another equally compelling Franciacorta.)  I’m betting your guests and you will amore both of these over-the-top bubblies, certain to impress even the most discerning of Champagne lovers at any time of the year, but especially during the festive holidays.

As they say in Franciacorta"Felici festivita," and in Champagne, "Joyeuses fetes."