Region: Franciacorta
Grape Variety: 100% Chardonnay
Alcohol Content: 12.5% vol
Volume: 750ml
Tasting Notes:
Appearance: Bright straw yellow with a dazzling golden sheen; fine, dense, and persistent bubbles.
Nose: Elegant and well-structured aromas with hints of nectar, ripe yellow peach, and white peach, interwoven with classic Chardonnay notes of cream, white nuts (almond), and yeasty notes reminiscent of toasted bread crust/Brioche.
Palate: Round and creamy on the palate. Bright and vibrant acidity, accompanied by clear minerality and a slightly tangy/savory character; balanced structure; long and clean finish.
Franciacorta, having become a DOC in 1967 and then a DOCG in 1995, has only been developing for about fifty years, compared to Champagne's over three centuries of history. This dazzling region has the potential to challenge Champagne's long-standing dominance in the future. With an area only one-tenth the size of Champagne, over 80% of its production is sold domestically. High-end Italian restaurants are eager to try its wines, making them essential to their menus. This year, I personally visited the Lo Sparviere winery and stayed by Lake Iseo within the region. This picturesque lake, besides being a tranquil and ideal vacation spot, plays a crucial role in regulating the temperature of the Franciacorta region. The cool sea breeze keeps the grapes crisp, and the region's soil, composed of pebbles and sand, allows for the production of highly mineral sparkling wines. Franciacorta is made using the traditional Champagne method (méthode champenoise), undergoing secondary fermentation in the bottle followed by Surlie aging. Like Champagne, it requires sugar addition, shaking, and disgorging. Non-vintage Franciacorta requires a minimum aging period of 18 months (longer than the minimum 15 months required for NV Champagne). This extended aging process results in fine bubbles, a balanced and harmonious body, and aromas of yeast and toast. The warmer inland climate of Franciacorta, compared to the colder climate of Champagne, leads to higher grape ripeness and sufficient natural sugar content, resulting in wines with richer fruit aromas than typical Champagne. This also means less sugar needs to be added during dosage, and many winemakers in the region don't even use dosage. Currently, the entire Franciacorta region is highly sought after by sparkling wine enthusiasts worldwide. In terms of price, it's considered an ideal stepping stone to the world of Champagne, often referred to as a Champagne alternative or a future strong competitor to Champagne.
Lo Sparviere winery is located in Monticelli Brusati, Brescia, covering a total area of 60 hectares, with 25 hectares of vineyards planted with Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. The winery belongs to Agricole Gussalli Beretta, a group that owns five wineries across various regions of Italy. We have previously recommended Barolo from Forte Masso and Chianti from Castello di Radda. This group is financially secure, which suggests a less commercial approach (as the family business is in the arms trade). Therefore, the wineries they acquire occupy prime terroir in their respective regions. Because the group's history in winemaking is relatively young, most of their wines have only recently gained recognition in the market or international competitions. The group focuses on low production volumes and a pursuit of quality, ensuring the consistently high quality of AGB wines in the hands of wine enthusiasts.
This Cuvée No. 7 is the only winery wine that can be exported. The winery's other wines are actually in short supply in Italy. Cuvée No. 7 uses 100% Chardonnay, which is Blanc de Blancs from the Champagne region. The rich Calcareous soil in the vineyards provides ample minerality. The Sur Lie is aged for 30 months before being released to the market, more than double the 15 months required for NV Champagne, and approaching the 36 months required for Vintage Champagne (which is just the winery's entry-level wine, so it's not necessary, right?). The price is only half that of a regular Champagne, so you'll know how high the value is once you try it.
Ah Qi, the nation has finally assigned you a task! Continue to press and exert pressure on the historic Champagne region of France.
