Word on the Vine: Franciacorta

This month, we look at an Italian sparkling wine worthy of popping at New Year

THE WINE

Franciacorta is not a grape but a wine, named after the place it is produced: a pocket of northern Italy between Brescia and Lake Iseo in Lombardy, an hour’s drive from Milan. The wine is made from the same grape varieties used in champagne – chardonnay and pinot nero (pinot noir) – as well as pinot bianco (pinot blanc). And, like champagne (but not prosecco), Franciacorta is made by the traditional method, with a second fermentation in the bottle. Sparkling winemaking only began in earnest in the area during the 1960s, but by 1995 the region had earned DOCG status, Italy’s highest quality designation.

Where champagnes can be austere and mineral, Franciacorta tends towards riper fruit and a softer, more approachable style – think white peach and almond alongside the brioche and citrus, while rosés bring red berry fruit and a touch more depth. The non-vintage wines spend at least 18 months ageing on their lees, developing complexity and a creamy mousse.

THE PAIRINGS

Franciacorta is marvellous on its own but its crisp acidity and elegant bubbles also make it a great fizz for canapés. Think fried chicken bites, cocktail sticks of glazed pork belly, or devils on horseback, or go Italian with cured meats and chunks of a top-quality Parmigiano Reggiano. At the table, it pairs beautifully with shellfish, seafood pasta, smoked salmon and lighter white meat dishes such as roast chicken with bread sauce.

THE VINES

Franciacorta occupies a compact area, where ancient glaciers carved out by Lake Iseo left behind mineral-rich, well-drained soils (six different subsoils in all), while Alpine breezes keep the vineyards fresh. Most remain family owned, and many wineries occupy former industrial buildings – this is the northern edge of Lombardy’s Po Valley, where viticulture sits alongside modern development.

This article was taken from the Reader Awards 2025 issue of Food and Travel. To subscribe today, click here.