Franciacorta - The King of Italian Sparkling Wine

Franciacorta is produced in Northern Italy in the Province of Bergamo at the feet of the Italian Alps. Greatly treasured in Italy but not well known in other European countries.  Franciacorta from La Fiorita is a typical example of  the quality of the wine. La Fiorita Franciacorta Wines Produced from the Chardonnay grape and sometimes mixed with Pinot Noir and / or Pinot Blanc, grape varieties, Franciacorta is a sparkling wine produced by method champennoise.  The maturation process lasts at least 25 months after the harvest of which at least 18 months of slow fermentation in the bottle in contact with the lees. (methode champennoise). Franciacorta Bubbly Wine  The features and sensory characteristics that identify the Franciacorta are: pelage fine and persistent, almost creamy ; straw yellow colour with greenish reflections ; nuanced but distinct scent of yeast ( bread crust ) , accompanied by delicate notes of dried fruits ( almonds, hazelnuts , dried figs ) and spices (cloves ) ; in the mouth a pleasant flavour and freshness . Usually classified with reference to the sugar content Franciacorta, has the following types:

Types of Franciacorta Wine

Not dosed (Pas dose, Dosage Zero, Nature); particularly dry, 

great impression and pungency of the bubbles, expresses characteristic

 floral perfumes, obtained without adding syrup, but only wine. 

Excellent aperitif.    

Extra Brut (sugar up to 6 grams / litre): dry, ideal as an aperitif and between meals. Excellent with savoury appetizers, delicate sandwiches and cakes baked vegetables.  

  Brut (sugar less than 15 grams / litre): dry, ideal as a table wine, it goes well with risottos, fish dishes and white meat. It is advisable not to take him with sweet desserts.    

Extra Dry (sugar from 12 to 20 grams / litre): dry and delicate suitable for quiches and baked vegetables.  

 Sec Dry (sugar 17 to 35 grams / litre): dry but slightly soft, it is indicated for soft cheeses, spicy and like Gorgonzola or Taleggio cheese; excellent with non-sweet ice cream and desserts.    

Demisec (sugar from 33 to 55 grams / litre): round, intensely fragrant, soft and velvety, it goes very well with desserts; a favourite with small pastries.

Saten

Satèn is one of the highest expressions of harmony, pleasure and flavour of Franciacorta. Produced with Chardonnay (prevalent grapes) and Pinot Bianco, with a pressure of less than or equal to 4.5 and a sugar content not exceeding 15 g / litre. The features and sensory characteristics that identify and differentiate the Satén Franciacorta are: pelage fine and persistent, almost creamy, straw yellow colour with greenish reflections also, nuanced but distinct aroma of ripe fruit. Accompanied by delicate notes of white flowers and also toasted nuts (almond and hazelnut); taste, gives a pleasant flavour and freshness fusing with softness reminiscent of the delicate sensations of silk.  Characterised by creamy, smooth and soft flavours it is, ideal for the whole meal, but exceptional with baked pasta dishes, delicate risotto and dishes based on fish (sturgeon, salmon, trout, whitefish, tench, blue fish).

Technical Specification of Franciacorta Saten from La Fiorita

Blog post prepared by Vincent Sandford of Sandford & Oving Italian Wine Merchants

Monte Conero. The Environment and the Wine

The promontory of Mount Conero lies in the south of Ancona in the Marche in central Italy, overlooking the Adriatic Sea.  Designated a national regional park in 1987 it is home to  Eurasian Badger, beech Marten, weasel, Yellow Bellied Toad, Pellegrini Falcon and the Kingfisher.  The area is a haven for lovers of nature and walkers alike with many sign posted walks to aid the tourist, complemented by Aeroporto delle Marche at Falconara, Ancona.

Le Marche Wine Region

Art and Culture

Until 1860 the area was under the control of the Papal State of the Loreto, itself under the Vatican.  Prior to the battle at Castelfidardo the Papal State lavished riches in churches, buildings and culture and gave this region a rich heritage much of which exists today, Cities like Loreto, Macerata, Castefidardo, Camerino, Matelica and San Severino Marche are evidence of this richness.

Scenery and Wine

The scenery is charming: clear waters are rich in local fish, Mediterranean plants.  The park covered in juniper, lavender and strawberry trees, which attracts a strong flow of domestic and international tourists.

Rosso Conero Villa Bonomi by Marchetti

Cultivated in ancient times, prospering today and dominating the area for wine production ithe Montepulciano grape is an important part f the regional wine industry.  Grown on the hills facing the Adriatic Sea this grape varietal is used to blend with Sangiovese grapes to make Ross Conero, which gained its Denominazio Controllata e Garantita (DOCQ) in 2004. Thanks to the daily breeze, the nature of the soil and the climatic conditions the Montepulciano grape produces unique and typical characteristics that make this varietal special for Monte Conero

Wine lovers, tourists and curious travelers can follow the route of the Rosso Conero wine route.  Producers accustomed to welcoming visitors, offer this wonderful red wine, with samples of Pecorino cheese and Ciaiuscolo salami.  The intense aromas, excellent structure, soft and velvety overtones blends perfectly with the classical Marche cuisine.

The Association "The Winegrowers of Mount Conero"

There is no doubt, the quality and reputation of Rosso Conero has enhanced since 2009 with the formation of thirteen producers of Rosso Conero. Offering wine tasting their cellars, pursuing the goals of quality, wine characteristics, respect for the territory and the production of Rosso Conero in all stages of production (cultivation, fewer chemicals, ageing, bottling techniques in their cellars) members of the association have increased reputation of Rosso Conero.

The Association benefits from synergies and undertaking initiatives to promoting and combining the beauty of a wonderful region to the value of the wine and the food culture of the region.

About the Author

Vincent Sandford

Vincent Sandford is director of Sandford & Oving Italian Wine Merchants exporting wines to the UK & The Netherlands.  He has been involved in the wine industry since 2005.

Useful Links

Producers of ROSSO CONERO and Wine Tastings

Alessandro Moroder www.moroder-vini.it

Fattoria Le Terrazze www.fattorialeterrazze.it

Az. Ag. Malacari www.malacari.it

Strologo Silvano www.vinorossoconero.com

Lanari Luca www.lanarivini.it

Piantate Lunghe www.piantatelunghe.it

Marchetti Maurizio www.marchettiwines.it

Spinsanti Catia www.rossoconerodoc.com

Serenelli Alberto www.albertoserenelli.com

Lucesole Graziella www.fattorialucesole.it

Mercante Oriano www.rossoconero.it

Polenta Giancarlo www.cantinapolenta.it

Luigi Pieri luigimariapieri@virgilio.it

National Park Conero (Italiano) - http://www.ambiente.marche.it/Ambiente/Natura/ParchieRiserve/ParcoNaturaleRegionaledelConero.aspx

Walking Routes in Conero

http://www.trekkingmontiazzurri.com/index.php/parco-del-conero.html

Italiaanse Wijnpakhuis Blog

This blog reviews Italian Wine for sale in The Netherlands written by Vincent Sandford an knowledgeable expert  in the Italian Wine Industry and owner of Sandford & Oving Italian Wine Merchants and SEO Synovation an Internet Marketing agency helping clients get the most from the Internet.

Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico 2009 by Allegrini scores 95pts 

by Vincent Sandford Septembre 2015

The Family Allegrini are wine growers from the Veneto region of northern Italy located right in the central area of Valpolicella Classico, in the village of Fumane.  

The territory of Valpolicella Classico extends around the 5 villages of Sant Ambroglio, San Pietro in Cariano, Fumane, Marano and Negra.  The soils in this area are predominantly calcareous and very ancient. The climate is mild with rainfall around 40 inches per year. 

The Process of Making Amarone Della Valpolicella Classico from Allegrini Family.

The grape-drying process known as ‘appassimento’ is one of the defining and most delicate phases in the production of Amarone. Selected bunches of Corvina Veronese, Rondinella and Oseleta, harvested between late September and early October, are laid out in crates and left to dry in well-ventilated facilities. The drying process can last from 100 to 120 days. During this period, the grapes lose between 40% - 50% of their original weight and undergo a complex chemical transformation that yields an elegant, velvety wine with an aroma of raisined grapes. During this period, genes are activated in the grapes that control the production of the aromas and substances that give Amarone its unmistakable flavour and bouquet. 

Technical Specifications

Appellation: Amarone della Valpolicella Classico D.O.C.

Grape varieties: Corvina Veronese 80%, Rondinella 15%, Oseleta 5% 

The territory of Valpolicella Classico

Vineyard location: Located in the hills of the Valpolicella Classico area Altitude: 180-280 metres (591-919 feet) above sea level Exposure: Southeast Soil characteristic: Varied, but mostly clayey and chalky soils of volcanic origin

Training system: Old vines Pergola Trentina, new vines Guyot

Average age of the vines: 30 years 

Density of the vineyards: Old vines, about 3,000 plants/Ha, new vines about 5,000 plants/Ha 

Vinification and ageing: 

Harvest Hand harvest of selected bunches carried out in late September

Appassimento (drying process): Naturally dried for 3-4 months in the drying facility. The grapes lose 40-45% of their original weight

Vinification: De-stemmed and soft-pressed in early January 

Fermentation: In temperature controlled stainless steel tanks 

Fermentation temperature: 8-22°C (46-72°F) 

Length of fermentation: 25 days with daily periodic pumping over 

Ageing: 18 months in oak, then blended together for 7 months 

Analytical data

Alcohol content: 15.8% Vol Total acidity: 5.9 g/l Residual sugars: 3.8 g/l Dry extract: 34.9 g/l Free SO2: 27 mg/l Total SO2: 89 mg/l pH 3.37 

About Sandford & Oving Italian Wine Merchants

Sandford & Oving source Italian Wine, and only Italian wine.We source the best wines from four important regions of Italy: Marche Piemonte, Toscana and Veneto. Our offices are located in cental Italyin San Severino. Our Dutch offices are in Assen, Drenthe in The Netherlands.  This wine is available from Sandford & Oving for euro 85 for a bottle or euro 490 for 6 bottles.