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Stefano Cerveni, Marco Acquaroli and Maurizio Rossi (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

AN EVENING WITH FRANCIACORTA – Munich's culinary scene is incredibly vibrant, with numerous events centered around "culinary delights and enjoyment" that are well worth attending. One such event was the recent evening at the beautiful Villa Wagner in Munich, hosted by Franciacorta under the motto "An Evening with Franciacorta." Silvano Brescianini, President of the Franciacorta Consortium, invited guests to a wonderful evening, accompanied by a selection of excellent Franciacorta sparkling wines, top-class chefs, and culinary specialties from the Franciacorta region. Franciacorta was presented as a wine-growing region, a production method, and, of course, in the form of its superb sparkling wines. Naturally, the evening also included a tasting of the three Franciacorta styles: "Franciacorta Brut," "Franciacorta Satèn," and "Franciacorta Rosé." Throughout the evening, only the best was offered, both in the glasses and on the plates, thanks in part to the regional culinary luminaries Maurizio Rossi („La Villetta“), Marco Acquaroli („Dispensa Pani e Vini“ / Ristorante Nature), and the Michelin-starred chef Stefano Cerveni („Due Colombe“) from Franciacorta.

Delicious! Chilled Franciacorta Rosé for relaxed summer evenings (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

Interesting facts about Franciacorta

There was plenty on offer, and so the entertaining evening was not only moderated by Gabriele Heins – deputy editor-in-chief of "Der Feinschmecker" – and the author and wine expert Jens Priewe, but also accompanied by a live musical program from jazz musician Jerker Kluge and his band. A great atmosphere, I tell you. Packed with fascinating information about Franciacorta, the evening was a skillful blend of tasting, information, and discussion for me. For example, I learned that Franciacorta wines are produced exclusively using the traditional method of bottle fermentation and that wines, vines, and producers bearing this name must be located within the geographical boundaries of "Franciacorta" – situated in Lombardy, Italy. On the other hand... The name must not be printed on the bottle. Therefore, when people talk about Franciacorta, they are always referring to the place, the method, and the wine in the glass. Also interesting: Franciacorta was an Italian pioneer in the DOCG designation. It was the first wine produced using the traditional method of bottle fermentation to receive this designation in 1995. For those unfamiliar with this: this designation on a wine guarantees controlled designation of origin, the highest accolade for varietal quality, meaning that all requirements for the respective wine in the bottle have been met. Simply put, you can rarely go wrong when buying a wine with the DOCG designation. Due to changes made to the Franciacorta regulations over time, even stricter measures have had to be implemented and enforced, resulting in even higher quality sparkling wines.

Italian food perfectly complemented the wine experience (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

Production and unique selling points of Fraciacorta

Franciacorta is made from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir grapes. The use of Pinot Bianco is also permitted, up to a maximum of 501 tbsp. of grapes used. Erbamat – a white Italian grape variety – is permitted up to 101 tbsp. of grapes used. It is also regulated that a maximum of 120 quintals per hectare (i.e., 12,000 kg) may be produced. Naturally, production is strictly controlled and designed for the highest quality and a gentle process for the grapes. For this purpose, the grapes are harvested exclusively by hand and, after harvesting, gently pressed and vinified separately, according to vineyard. The resulting wines are then used for the cuvée production. After careful tasting, Franciacorta base wines from different vintages are blended to create the base wine for the sparkling wine.

During tirage, sugar and active yeasts are added to this base wine in the bottle, initiating a slow and natural secondary fermentation. Specifically, this means that carbon dioxide forms in the bottle, creating a pressure of five to six bar (a maximum of five bar for the "Satèn" type). Depending on the Franciacorta style, the bottles are then aged for a specific period and subsequently disgorged – this involves removing the sediment from the neck of the bottle. This sediment forms both from riddling and from tilting the bottles in the riddling rack. The wine is then immersed in an ice bath, creating an ice plug containing the yeast, which is ultimately expelled when the bottle is opened.

Stefano Cerveni plating his dish. Accompanied by a glass of Franciacorta… (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

The loss of wine is replenished by adding pure base wine or dosage liqueur (…that is, Franciacorta base wine/vintage wine with added sugar…). The dosage liqueur, through its sugar content, determines the flavor profile and character of the Franciacorta. Sealed with its typical mushroom-shaped champagne cork and surrounding wire cage, the wine is then released for sale – naturally, bearing the DOCG designation issued by the Ministry of Agriculture. So, 100% quality in every bottle of Franciacorta. As an interesting side note: For wines not produced from specific vintages, the Franciacorta "non millesimato" wines, the tirage is added in the spring, approximately seven months after the harvest, followed by at least 18 months of bottle fermentation on the lees before disgorgement. For Satèn and Rosé wines, which are classified as "non millesimato" wines, the aging period is at least 24 months. Vintage Franciacorta has a aging period of at least 30 months, and a Franciacorta Riserva is only released for sale after at least 60 months of aging.

Of course, you can also order the wine for home use….

Enjoy and experience Franciacorta for yourself

These were just a few of the fascinating facts I learned about Franciacorta that evening. Of course, I couldn't resist taking a few bottles home to enjoy it again in a more private setting. But let's return briefly to the evening at Villa Wagner. As mentioned earlier, a delicious menu was served, accompanied by Franciacorta wines. The first course was "Violet Potato, Red Prawn, Franciacorta Sauce" with a glass of "Franciacorta Satèn Brut." This was followed by "Fine Lasagne, Veal Ragù, and Melted Grana Padano Cheese," served with the "Franciacorta Brut." The "Franciacorta Rosé," on the other hand, shared its culinary moment with the third course: "Fillet of Rovato Beef with a Reduction of Sardines from Lake Iseo, Milk, and Breadcrumbs." Delicious, I tell you, and perhaps it will inspire you if you'd like to cook something similar at home.

Franciacorta Wein Italien Event 14 Kopie

My personal favorite from Franciacorta

So, if you've now developed a taste for Franciacorta, let me tell you that no matter what's on your plate, you can always enjoy a perfectly paired Franciacorta in your glass. Thanks to its diverse flavor profiles, it's an excellent match for a wide variety of dishes and products. The wine is best served at a pleasant drinking temperature of eight to ten degrees Celsius. (Storage is between 10 and 15 degrees Celsius, ideally lying down, with moist and expanded corks).

Learn more about Franciacorta

Want to know more? Read about the different varieties and types, and get to know the product range? Then download this interesting [document/guide/etc.] right now. Summary of „Franciacorta and its wines“ with lots more information. It's worth it. I'm sure that afterwards, a bottle or two of Franciacorta will find its way into your shopping basket and wine cabinet. Enjoy!

+++ This article was created in cooperation with Franciacorta. Thank you! +++

Contact for inquiries

Franciacorta
Website

Event: „An Evening with Franciacorta“
Tasting of various Franciacorta wines, learning about the typologies, etc.

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Pictures:

: Italian food perfectly complemented the wine tasting. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

: Stefano Cerveni, Marco Acquaroli and Maurizio Rossi (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for Franciacorta)

: Delicious! Chilled Franciacorta Rosé for relaxed summer evenings (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

: MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 23: General view during the „An Evening with Franciacorta“ event at Villa Wagner on July 23, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for Franciacorta)

: MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 23: Food of Marco Acquaroli during the „An Evening with Franciacorta“ event at Villa Wagner on July 23, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for Franciacorta)

: MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 23: General view during the „An Evening with Franciacorta“ event at Villa Wagner on July 23, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for Franciacorta)

: MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 23: General view of ham during the „An Evening with Franciacorta“ event at Villa Wagner on July 23, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for Franciacorta)

: MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 23: General view during the „An Evening with Franciacorta“ event at Villa Wagner on July 23, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for Franciacorta)

: Stefano Cerveni plating his dish. Accompanied by a glass of Franciacorta… (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images)

: MUNICH, GERMANY – JULY 23: Food of Star chef Stefano Cerveni during the „An Evening with Franciacorta“ event at Villa Wagner on July 23, 2019 in Munich, Germany. (Photo by Gisela Schober/Getty Images for Franciacorta)