Discovering Franciacorta: Italy’s wine secret

Franciacorta is a small wine-producing area in Lombardy, Italy. Famous for its high-quality sparkling wines.& The Franciacorta sparkling style, and the DOCG title under which it is sold, are both recent additions to Italy’s wine portfolio. The first sparkling wine to bear the name Franciacorta was created by the Berlucchi winery in the late 1950s. The Franciacorta DOC title was created in 1967 and promoted to DOCG status in 1995. Berlucchi Franciacorta 61’ Extra Brut is produced from chardonnay 85% pinot Noir 15% and from vineyards in the 19 municipal areas of Franciacorta. The nose is filled with apple, pear, and a lovely natural citrus. Tastes are of raw young pears, green apples, and buttered toast. Exceptionally refreshing with an elegant bead and mousse. The term bead refers to the bubbles that come up from the bottom of the glass. Pairs well with fried black bass, spinach ravioli, shrimp scampi, stuffed mushrooms, egg dishes, grilled cod, and baked chicken recipes. Berlucchi Franciacorta Rosé 61’ Brut is produced from pinot Noir 70% chardonnay 30% from vineyards in the 19 municipal areas of Franciacorta.& Earthiness is from maceration of the pinot Noir skins. The skins provide a pink hue, brioche bread, and...