
Spumante | Franciacorta
Franciacorta is a still young Italian wine-growing region in Lombardy. It was not until the 1960s that the first professionally produced sparkling wines were produced. Since then, demand for this spumante, produced in the style of bottle fermentation, grew rapidly and brought a boom to the region. Since 1995, registered trademark of the Consortium for the Protection of Franciacorta and reserved for those winemakers who are members of the Consortium and comply with the strict production rules.
The production method of Franciacorta involves the use of noble grape varieties (white grapes: Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco and red grapes: Pinot Nero) and a slow second fermentation in the bottle. The grapes are immediately extracted under gentle pressure. The base wines are then fermented in the spring and are used to compose the cuvèe. This is a blend of different Franciacorta base wines (even from different vintages), selected after careful tasting to bring out very precise characteristics. The following addition of sugar and yeast (tirage) initiates the second fermentation in the bottle, which slowly leads to the transformation of sugar into carbonic acid (foaming) and to a rise in pressure of up to 5-6 atmospheres.
The bottles, closed with crown caps, are properly stored horizontally in the cellar, and in this position they remain for at least 18 months - as provided by the wine production regulations. During this time, the wine can fully develop due to its long maturation on the lees. However, it is often extended to 36-48 months. During this phase, the yeast settles as a deposit in the bottle and is removed at the end of the second fermentation, without releasing the built-up pressure. For this purpose, the bottles are stored in inclined riddling trays (pupitres), with the neck inserted into pointed openings; thus, the angle of inclination of the bottles gradually becomes steeper, almost vertical, during transfer. This process, shaking and turning (remuage), lasts about a month and causes the yeast deposit to slide more and more from the bottle walls to the cork.
The next phase is disgorgement (dègorgement), a fascinating process and unique in method. The bottles are placed in a vertical position and the neck is immersed in a cold bath. This causes an ice plug to form from the yeast deposit. Now comes the removal of the crown cork: the pressure inside the bottle becomes so strong during uncorking that the iced yeast shoots out violently, although little of the pressure and the wine itself are lost. The bottle is either refilled with wine only (Pas Opèrè, Nature, Dosage Zèro), or the so-called liqueur d'expedition is added (wine with added sugar, cognac or other wine distillate). The amount of sugar in the dosage also determines the taste tuning of Franciacorta (Extra Brut, Extra Dry, Sec or Dry, Demisec). - Gerardo
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Cesonato Franciacorta Satèn Brut DOCG 2020Villa Crespia, Lombardy
The mild Satèn Franciacorta shows itself with discreet, persistent perlage. On the nose, ripe fruit, rose petals and citrus aromas. Dry and pleasant on the palate, with feminine features. Great as an aperitif or accompaniment to seafood. - Gerardo
€ 21,95 26,60 €/L
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Franciacorta Brut DOCGRicci Curbastro, Lombardy
Pale straw yellow color with greenish reflections, very fine, persistent and almost creamy perlage. On the nose, subtle hints of bread crumb, notes of dried fruit, hazelnut, dried fig and cloves. Harmonious, fresh and invigorating on the palate. - Gerardo
€ 19,95 26,60 €/L
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Novalia Franciacorta Brut DOCG 2019Villa Crespia, Lombardy
This Franciacorta was named after one of the six districts of Villa Crespia, 'Novalia' is a classic representative of its guild: bright, lively straw-yellow color and fine persistent perlage in the glass. In the fragrance discreetly of rose petals and bread crust, on the palate refreshing, straightforward and harmonious. - Gerardo
€ 19,95 € 18,90 25,20 €/L
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Brolese Franciacorta Rosato Extra Brut DOCG 2021Villa Crespia, Lombardy
Noble Franciacorta Rosato made from equal parts Pinot Nero and Chardonnay: salmon colored rosè and light red reflections in the glass. The perlage is fine and persistent, the fresh bouquet recalls citrus, freshly baked bread and aromatic herbs. On the palate, the Pinot Nero provides elegance while the Chardonnay contributes good structure. - Gerardo
€ 21,95 29,27 €/L
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Numerozero Franciacorta Dosage Zero DOCG 2021Villa Crespia, Lombardy
The Franciacorta 'Numerozero' is the emblem of Villa Crespia. Since the first harvest of the winery, it is the symbol of the philosophy of the Muratori brothers and comes entirely without dosage. Characteristic is the fine and persistent perlage, as well as the rich, floral and fruity bouquet with notes of broom and lime. On the palate, very dry and of noticeable acidity - both factors which contribute to the freshness of the 'Numzero'. It is the Franciacorta to eat and accompanies any kind of food in an excellent way. - Gerardo
€ 21,95 29,27 €/L
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Miolo Franciacorta Brut DOCG 2020Villa Crespia, Lombardy
'Miolo' is a classic Franciacorta Brut based on selected Chardonnay grapes. Vinified according to the Blanc de Blanc method, it maintains its pleasant fruitiness and freshness. Typical bright color and restrained perlage. Citrus and tropical fruit aromas on the nose, with invigorating acidity and persistent freshness on the palate. - Gerardo
€ 21,95 29,27 €/L
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Millè Franciacorta Millesimato Brut DOCG 2014Villa Crespia, Lombardy
'Millè' is a modern Franciacorta vinified according to the blanc de blancs method: the high-quality base wine is aged longer to increase its quality, the subsequent bottle fermentation further expands the complexity. Bright, appealing straw yellow color in the glass with extremely fine and persistent perlage. Fresh and clearly structured on the palate, with subtle floral notes. - Gerardo
€ 22,50 30,00 €/L
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Franciacorta Satèn Brut DOCG 2015Ricci Curbastro, Lombardy
Light straw yellow as well as very fine, almost creamy perlage. Pleasant aromas of cedar, pineapple and fresh bread crust characterize the bouquet. The taste is refreshing and harmonious, of decent sweet fruity notes and subtle spiciness. Very delicate and smooth Franciacorta. - Gerardo
€ 23,95 31,93 €/L
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Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG 2015Ricci Curbastro, Lombardy
Pale straw yellow color with tightly woven perlage. The bouquet is reminiscent of peach, pineapple and vanilla beans mixed with subtle notes of barrel butter. Pleasant mouthfeel on the palate, balanced and creamy with a delicate minerality. - Gerardo
€ 23,95 31,93 €/L
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Franciacorta Brut Rosè DOCGRicci Curbastro, Lombardy
Light pink color as well as tight perlage in the glass. Aroma of currant, strawberry and pomegranate. Refreshing, balanced and fruity on the palate. - Gerardo
€ 23,95 31,93 €/L
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Gualberto Franciacorta Dossagio Zero DOCG 2011Ricci Curbastro, Lombardy
Pale straw yellow with bright reflections and fine-mesh perlage. The wide-ranging aroma extends from bergamot to citrus to gooseberry. Isolated impressions of toasted hazelnuts, roasted coffee and bread crust. On the palate of aristocratic structure, fresh and with noticeable mineral notes, persistent finish. - Gerardo
€ 37,50 50,00 €/L
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Spumante | Franciacorta | gerardo.de
One of the special characteristics of Franciacorta is undoubtedly its versatility, which makes it the ideal companion for the entire menu. Knowing this outstanding wine, we also understand that it can turn our cuisine into something very special, this is true for the great occasions as well as for the normal everyday life, starting with an aperitif and ending with the dessert. Just think of the Non Dosato as an aperitif and with appetizers, the Brut or the Brut Satén, which can also accompany the entire meal due to their harmonious soft taste, or the Rosè with meat dishes, risotto and mushrooms and the Demisec with dessert - this should convince even the biggest traditionalists of its personality. Franciacorta is delicate, but at the same time rich on the palate and with a good acid balance. It never overpowers the taste of the food it accompanies; instead, it harmoniously enhances it and imparts a certain perfection to it. In this way, it contributes its part to duly appreciate the culinary skills of the host and the offered composition.
The Franciacorta Satén
Registered trademark of the Consortium for the Protection of Franciacorta since the year 1995 and reserved for those winemakers who are members of the Consortium and comply with the strict rules of production. Blend: exclusively Chardonnay (main part) and/or Pinot Bianco (Blanc de blanc). It has less overpressure in the bottle (< 4.5 bar) compared to other Franciacorta; this is the reason why it is exceptionally soft in taste. It is produced only as Brut. It is characterized by its very fine, persistent and almost creamy perlage, in addition to the delicate but pronounced scent of ripe fruit on the nose, accompanied by delicate nuances of white flowers, dried fruit and roasted almonds and nuts. Pleasant spiciness and freshness harmonize excellently with that natural soft note that involuntarily reminds of a delicate dream of silk. With the Satén we have one of the most complete expressions of Franciacorta in terms of harmony, pleasure and taste.
The Franciacorta Rosè
.The white and red grapes are pressed separately. The composition of the cuvèe with Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and at least 15% Pinot Nero is made at the end of fermentation. The Pinot Nero grapes are fermented on the skins until the rosè or red wine base gives the finished product a brilliant rosè color. Franciacorta Rosè comes in a variety of flavors, and the Pinot Nero gives it great body, makes it pithy.
The Franciacorta vintage wine
.Obtained from base wines that must be at least 85% of the same vintage. Aging and maturation last at least 37 months after the harvest, 30 of them in the bottle on the lees, this ensures an intense aroma and gives the aromas room to develop. Normally the aging of Franciacorta vintage wine (millesimato) lasts at least 4 years, the year of harvest (the vintage) is indicated on the label of the bottle. The bouquet and taste of Franciacorta vintage wine, more than any other Franciacorta, reflect the climatic characteristics of the vintage in question and the qualitative peculiarities of the grapes of this very special harvest. Thus, this wine is obtained from grapes harvested only in very good conditions in terms of climate and harvest; their ripeness is correspondingly excellent. Intense on the nose, quite strong straw yellow color, wonderfully full-bodied, complex and good structure - in a word, ideal for the whole meal. - Gerardo