Italy’s answer to the Champagne region

A typical Franciacorta

Many restaurants in Bergamo and the other small towns in the area offer reasonably priced Franciacorta wines on their menus.
These are well worth trying as they are produced in a small part of Lombardia that has achieved worldwide prestige and is now often compared to the Champagne region in France.
The Franciacorta wine growing region lies among the hills between Brescia and Lago Iseo.
It is believed that the name Franciacorta derives from the Italian words for French court, or free court, and dates back to the time when the area was dominated by Charlemagne.
Wealthy families built castles and villas and planted vineyards on the fertile land, which eventually started to produce excellent wine.
It is possible to tour the Franciacorta area and visit the vineyards that make the best, sparkling, Franciacorta wine that is considered to be Italy’s answer to champagne.
The winemakers use il metodo classico (classical method) and label their wines according to their sugar content as do the French.
Terre del Franciacorta Bianco is a pleasantly fruity, still white wine made from a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot grapes and is best drunk young.
Terre di Franciacorta Rosso is made from a blend of Cabernet, Barbera, Nebbiolo and Merlot grapes.
You will pay a lot less to try the wines while in the Bergamo area than connoisseurs outside Italy pay for cases of the wine to be delivered to them. So while in Lombardia, make sure you raise a glass of Terre di Franciacorta wine. Salute!


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