Ferghettina: Learning about the Amazing Franciacorta Bubbly

Did you know that Italy has its very own sparkling wine that is made just like French Champagne?

It’s called Franciacorta.

And I’m guessing you probably haven’t heard of it.

Now everyone seems to be familiar with Prosecco which is also a sparkling Italian wine.

But Prosecco is made in a different method that produces a lighter, more fruity style of bubbly.

Franciacorta is made the same way as Champagne.

And it’s delicious!

I had the privilege of visiting Ferghettina Winery to learn more about this wonderful sparking wine and to have a taste.

And this is an experience that every wine lover should have.

So let’s get the bubbles flowing…

 

What is Franciacorta?

I think this question has been answered for the most part, but let me explain a bit more.

Franciacorta is a geographical area, a production process and a wine.

So, it’s like Champagne in this way.

Champagne — from the Champagne region of France — is the only sparkling wine that is allowed to be called Champagne.

It’s a designation thing that gets into all these rules and regulations around where and how something is grown and made.

And Champagne is made in the classical or traditional method.

I won’t go into the whole process, but in a nutshell, Champagne is fermented twice — once in the barrel and once in the bottle.

Yeast is added during that second fermentation, then must be removed and bottles get tuned upside down and on it goes.

It’s a more complicated process than still wine.

Anyway…

Franciacorta is created the same way as Champagne.

But since it’s made in Italy and not in France, it can’t be called Champagne.

So it’s named after the area it’s produced in and the process in which it’s created.

Which leads to the next question…

 

Where is Franciacorta?

The Franciacorta region is in Brescia Province of the Lombardy region of Italy.

Lombardy — Lombardia in Italian — is the home of Milan.

Franciacorta is specifically at the southeast end of Lake Iseo — Lago d’Iseo.

It’s a small growing region that gained its DOC designation in 1967 for all its wine — they do produce still white wines and red wines here.

DOC means the area is a “controlled designation of origin.”

In 1995 the sparkling wines achieved DOCG status which means it’s a “controlled and guaranteed designation of origin.”

This is the highest classification of wine in Italy.

Okay…back to the where.

Brescia is the closest city to the East and Bergamo is to the West.

Milan is only about an hour away by car.

While the growing area is quite small, especially compared to Champagne, it’s quite beautiful.

Lago d’Iseo is right there and mountains loom off to the north.

 

The tour at Ferghettina

Ferghettina is one of the wineries in Franciacorta.

It was recommended to me by Giuliana at Terre e Lago where I stayed during my time at Lago d’Iseo.

Like so many vineyards in Europe it’s run by a family — the Gatti Family

Roberto and his wife, Andreina, bought a few hectares in 1990 after working with another vineyard in the area for many years.

He wanted to make his own wine and did so in 1991, a still white and a still red.

In 1992 Roberto created his first Franciacorta — a brut — that’s a mainstay in the lineup today.

Now his children, Laura and Matteo, are part of the business and are putting their own mark on Ferghettina.

Daniele, one of the employees, was my guide and I could not have asked for a better person to take me around the winery.

As we looked out over the vineyards, I saw Lago d’Iseo in the distance.

Daniele explained how the lake affects the climate of the growing region as well as how the mountains around the lake and to the north, protect the vineyards.

Franciacorta definitely has a unique climate that is conducive to growing Chardonnay, Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and Pinot Bianco.

He then showed me around the usual spots such as where the grapes are crushed and the tanks where the process begins.

I saw the bottling where labels are put on as well.

However, I’m always a fan of going into the cellar — you know, where it’s dark, cool and where you find barrels and bottles.

And yes, Daniele brought me here.

There’s a smell in the cellar that I just love — the smell of wine being made — aging— until just the right time.

We spent some time here as he explained how the yeast is added and then eventually removed during the second fermentation.

It’s all really fascinating as sparkling wine definitely has a different process than still wine.

As we made our way toward the tasting area, Daniele took me through a very cool room that was used for small events.

It reminded me of a library only, instead of books, there are bottles of wine all around.

Ahh…heaven!

 

The wines and the tasting

Ferghettina does make a couple of still wines — a rosso and a bianco — a red and a white.

But really, Ferghettina, and most of the wineries in the area, are all about the namesake bubbles — Franciacorta.

I was treated to a fabulous tasting of many of the sparkling wines Ferghettina creates.

Daniele and I started with the signature Brut, the first sparkler Roberto ever made.

It’s made from mostly Chardonnay and wee bit of Pinot Nero.

This is your go-to, every day bubbly.

The next 2 we tasted are my favorites — Satèn and Milledì.

Both are made from 100% Chardonnay.

But they are different which is why I had such a hard time deciding which one to buy — I love them both.

Satèn has a bit less pressure in the bottle so has a creamier flavor to it and also just a wee bit less bubbles.

Some folks describe wines like this as more “feminine” which I think can be a bit sexist, but I digress.

Milledì has a bit more minerality to it.

In the end, I bought the Milledì.

Next up Daniele brought out the Rosè.

Pink bubbles always make me smile.

And Ferghettina’s Rosè is definitely a tasty pink sparkling wine.

Made from 100% Pinot Nero, it has some berry notes.

All 3 of these sparklers are aged for 36 months on the yeast.

The last wine I tried is called Extra Brut.

Extra Brut is aged for 72 months on yeast.

It’s more complex than the above, and yes, does cost more.

But it is exquisite.

This is your very special occasion bubbly.

There are a couple of other wines in their portfolio — the Riserva 33 and the Rosé Eronero.

The Riserva is kind of the best of the best from the other wines and is aged 78 months on yeast.

The Rosè Eronero is only made in years when it’s hotter than normal and the fruit comes from just 2 vineyards.

It’s 100% Pinot Nero.

One things that I thoroughly enjoyed about tasting these wines with Daniele is that he believes you don’t need a special occasion to drink bubbles.

I love this attitude and have officially made this my new mantra!

 

What makes Ferghettina so special?

Little did I know until I got into this tour that Ferghettina has a unique way of bottling their wines.

They use a square bottle instead of a round one.

Now, it does make the bottle prettier to look at and it does make it stand out.

But this isn’t the reason for the square bottle.

You see, Matteo, Roberto’s son, realized that if the wine has more contact with the yeast, then you can enhance the wine’s aromatic elements.

And Matteo tends to be the science-y guy behind the operation.

While Roberto wasn’t on board right away, he eventually went along with this idea.

So Matteo created and patented the square bottle that Ferghettina now uses.

In fact the wines actually have a little over twice as much contact with the yeast as a round bottle.

Now, I’ll be honest, I’m not an expert on these subtle differences.

And some folks might say it’s all just a marketing ploy to get people to buy Ferghettina wine over a competitor.

But I 100% disagree.

I do see the science behind this and it does make sense.

Is Ferghettina somehow better than other Franciacorta wines?

I can’t tell you this.

Maybe.

And they may be onto something with the square bottle.

Personally, I believe each person has a unique palate and we like what we like.

And what one person thinks is amazing, another person might be kind of “meh” over.

For me, I enjoyed all of the wines of Ferghettina.

The Satèn, Milledì and Rosè were definitely more appealing to my palate than the 2 Bruts I tried.

But that’s just me.

 

Oh and how about some olive oil?

Daniele must be a mind-reader because he asked if I would like to try the Feghettina olive oil — olio d’oliva.

Uh…hello!

I love GOOD olive oil.

And I think this might be the best olive oil I’ve ever tasted.

Yup.

I bought a bottle.

I would have bought an entire barrel full if it were possible.

Be sure to ask for a taste of this.

It’s outstanding!

 

Final thoughts on Franciacorta and Ferghettina

I first came upon the Franciacorta region as I researched the Location Inspiration Guide: A Journey Through Italy e-guide.

In fact, when I found it, I immediately texted my friend who owns a wine store to see if she could find a bottle.

I really wanted to try it.

And when I did I knew that I’d have to visit this region.

So as I planned out my 2019 travels in Italy, I put Lago d’Iseo and Franciacorta on my list.

I spent a bit more time along the lake than in the vineyards.

But Ferghettina was an exceptional choice.

It’s a beautiful place for sure — the tasting room is gorgeous as are the views.

There’s even a banquet area at the vineyard that can be rented for special events such as family reunions or weddings.

I highly recommend taking a tour.

I found it to be very informative.

Daniele is one of the best tour guides I’ve had on any tour of any kind I’ve taken.

He is a fountain of knowledge and explained everything in a way that is easily understood.

His enthusiasm for Franciacorta and Feghettina shines through.

I know I’ll return to Franciacorta to visit other wineries in the near future so I can get to know more about the producers and the area.

And I will definitely return to Ferghettina.

Put it on your list!

 

Disclaimer: I was a guest of Ferghettina Winery so my tour was discounted. However all opinions are my own.