Italy — wine

Franciacorta

Italy's finest sparkling wine appellation in Lombardy south of Lake Iseo, producing traditional method wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco on glacially deposited morainic soils. Italy's answer to Champagne — and increasingly its equal.

Year Rating Notes
2022 Outstanding vintage; Chardonnay of exceptional complexity and Pinot Nero showing remarkable depth and color.
2021 Elegant, classic vintage; morainic minerality particularly pronounced in the top estates.
2020 Finest Franciacorta vintage of the decade; Ca' del Bosco and Bellavista produced epochal wines.
2019 Benchmark year; the morainic soils delivered the most mineral-driven Chardonnay of the decade.
2018 Solid vintage; non-vintage blends benefited enormously from the reserve wine quality.
2017 Good vintage; wines show the region's characteristic richness and persistent mousse.
2016 Near-perfect Franciacorta vintage; wines of Champagne-like precision and finesse.
2015 Warm year; generous, full-bodied Franciacorta with immediate appeal.