Franciacorta, located in Lombardy, is celebrated for its distinguished sparkling wines, offering a sophisticated alternative to French Champagne. The key differences lie in their origins, terroirs, and grape varieties. Champagne, from France’s cooler climate, mainly uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Meunier, leading to wines with high acidity and minerality. In contrast, Franciacorta benefits from a warmer climate and uses Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, and the indigenous Erbamat, resulting in fuller-bodied wines with richer flavors. While both Franciacorta and Prosecco are Italian sparkling wines, Franciacorta is made using the traditional bottle fermentation method, similar to Champagne, whereas Prosecco is primarily produced from the Glera grape through the tank method, yielding fresh and fruity wines. Franciacorta features complex notes of brioche and nuts, while Prosecco offers crisp flavors of citrus and apple. The region spans 200 square kilometers and includes over 100 wineries. Established as an appellation in the 1960s, Franciacorta has a long viticultural history but remains relatively underexplored by visitors from the UK.
Unlike the Champagne region, Franciacorta is much smaller and less formal. Tours are best booked in advance, but small wineries typically offer friendly greetings at any time, except during harvest. Prices for 90-minute tours with tastings range from €30 to €70 per person. Within two hours of arrival at Milan Linate Airport, one can visit the Ca' del Bosco Winery in Franciacorta. Ca’ Del Bosco, the second largest winery after Berlucchi, produces about two million bottles of cuvee prestige annually and sells them for €38 each. Their tour covers franciacorta winemaking—like champagne, with bottle fermentation, but franciacorta is fruitier and less acidic. The winery was founded by a teenager inspired by a trip to France, who transformed his family's vineyard. Currently a master winemaker and art collector, Maurizo Zanella operates a winery designed with futuristic elements. The facility features a panoramic lift that descends through an inverted, 20-metre-high franciacorta wine bottle.
The recommended base for exploration is L’Albereta Relais & Chateaux, a Neo-Renaissance villa with extensive gardens, owned by the Moretti family of the Bella Vista Winery. The hotel is surrounded by its own vineyards and is located approximately 20 minutes from Lake Iseo, which is less crowded compared to the more frequented lakes of Como and Garda.
Franciacorta is defined by its natural borders—mountains and Lake Iseo—which help create its distinctive wines. Bella Vista was founded by Vittorio Moretti, now 84, and is managed by his daughter Francesca. The tour includes cool, oak barrel-filled cellars, some stretching 400 metres into the hills and even connecting to Moretti’s home.
Other notable wineries include Turra, an organic family-owned operation established in 1994, and Casina San Pietro, housed in a 17th-century farmhouse where visitors can purchase wine directly.
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