The Franciacorta area of Italy is said to be home to some sparkling wines that some say may rival champagnes from France. (Note to self: try to locate a couple of Franciacorta sparkling wines to taste.)

How has a relatively unknown region created such excellent sparkling wines? According to the Franciacorta website:

• Franciacota has been producing sparkling wines since the 16th century.
• In the late 1950s, the potential for the area to  produce base wines suitable for sparkling wine was recognized.
• In 1967, official recognition was given to the name Franciacorta.

Changes have continued to affect the production of Franciacorta winemaking:

• 1990: Creation of the Voluntary Consortium
• 1993: New regulations stipulate mandatory natural secondary fermentation in the bottle
• 1995: Consortium approves production regulations for Franciacorta DOCG
• 1997: First bottles of Franciacorta with DOCG band sold
• 2010: New restrictive directions increase the rigor of production to reach the highest quality and confirm the Franciacorta method. The directions are the strictest in the world for this type of wine.

Franciacorta sparkling wines have been chosen as the Official Sparkling Wine for the 2015 Milan Expo.

If you have the opportunity, try a sparkling wine from Franciacorta!

Cheers!
Kathy