Key Grapes
White
Chardonnay Franciacorta primary
Pinot Bianco Franciacorta; Oltrepò
Turbiana = Trebbiano di Lugana
Erbamat Indigenous; Franciacorta (new)
Red
Chiavennasca = Nebbiolo; Valtellina
Pinot Nero Oltrepò; Franciacorta rosé
Croatina Oltrepò Pavese; Bonarda
Moscato di Scanzo Rare; sweet red
3 Key Zones
| Zone | Location | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Franciacorta | Lake Iseo | Sparkling (metodo classico) |
| Valtellina | Alpine north | Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) |
| Oltrepò Pavese | South of Po | Pinot Nero; largest zone |
Other: Lugana (shared w/ Veneto); Garda DOC
5 DOCGs
| DOCG | Type |
|---|---|
| Franciacorta | Sparkling (white + rosé) |
| Valtellina Superiore | Red (Nebbiolo) |
| Sforzato di Valtellina | Red (dried grape) |
| Oltrepò Pavese MC | Sparkling (Pinot Nero) |
| Moscato di Scanzo | Sweet red (tiny) |
MC: Metodo Classico
Franciacorta DOCG — Italy's Premier Sparkling
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Method | Metodo classico (traditional); ONLY sparkling DOCG without "spumante" on label |
| Grapes | Chardonnay (primary), Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco; Erbamat (max 10%, since 2017) |
| Location | South shore of Lake Iseo; morainic hills |
| Climate | Lake-moderated; warm days, cool nights |
| Base aging | 18 months on lees minimum |
| Satèn | Blanc de blancs; max 5 atm (vs 6+ normal); creamy, softer |
| Rosé | Min 25% Pinot Nero; min 24 months on lees |
Franciacorta Aging Tiers
| Tier | Min Lees Aging |
|---|---|
| Non-Vintage | 18 months |
| Satèn | 24 months |
| Rosé | 24 months |
| Millesimato | 30 months |
| Riserva | 60 months |
Dosage: Same as Champagne (Brut, Extra Brut, etc.)
Valtellina — Alpine Nebbiolo
| Aspect | Valtellina Superiore DOCG | Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG |
|---|---|---|
| Grape | Min 90% Chiavennasca (Nebbiolo) | Min 90% Chiavennasca |
| Method | Standard vinification | Dried grapes (min 10% weight loss) |
| Aging | 24 months (12 in wood) | 20 months (12 in wood) |
| Alcohol | Min 12% | Min 14% |
| Style | Elegant, lighter Nebbiolo | Rich, powerful; "meditation wine" |
Terraces: South-facing; 2,500 km of dry stone walls; north of Alps = Föhn wind brings warmth
Valtellina 5 Sub-Zones
| Sub-Zone | Character |
|---|---|
| Sassella | Most prestigious; elegant |
| Grumello | Structured; ages well |
| Inferno | "Hell" = heat-trapping |
| Valgella | Lighter; earlier drinking |
| Maroggia | Smallest; rare |
Valtellina Rosso DOC: Entry-level; min 90% Nebbiolo; less aging
Oltrepò Pavese — Italy's Pinot Nero Capital
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | "Beyond the Po" (south of river); borders Piedmont + Emilia-Romagna |
| Size | Largest Pinot Nero plantings in Italy |
| DOCG | Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico — min 70% Pinot Nero |
| DOC wines | Many varietals: Riesling, Pinot Grigio, Bonarda, Barbera, Croatina |
| Bonarda | = Croatina here (confusingly); soft, fruity red |
| History | Supplied base wine to Champagne houses historically |
Oltrepò Pavese Details
| Soils | Limestone, clay, marl |
| Climate | Continental; Apennine hills |
| Pinot Nero | Still red + sparkling |
| Cruasé | Rosé sparkling brand |
Naming Confusion
Bonarda dell'OP: = Croatina grape
Bonarda Piemontese: = Uva Rara
True Bonarda: Rare; different grape
Lugana DOC
| Location | South Lake Garda |
| Shared | Lombardy + Veneto |
| Grape | Min 90% Turbiana |
| Turbiana | = Trebbiano di Lugana |
| Style | Crisp, almond, mineral |
Tiers
Lugana: Fresh, young
Superiore: 1 year aging
Riserva: 2 years aging
Vendemmia Tardiva: Late harvest
Moscato di Scanzo DOCG
| Grape | 100% Moscato di Scanzo |
| Type | Sweet red (passito) |
| Location | Scanzorosciate (near Bergamo) |
| Size | Italy's smallest DOCG (~30 ha) |
| Method | Dried grapes; min 21 days |
| Aging | Min 2 years (1 in wood) |
Character: Ruby; rose, cherry; rare and expensive
History
| Roman era | Pliny; Rhaetian wine praised |
| 6th c | Lombards settle (name) |
| 1570 | "Franzacurta" first mentioned |
| 1961 | First Franciacorta sparkling |
| 1967 | Franciacorta DOC |
| 1995 | Franciacorta DOCG |
| 2003 | Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG |
Guido Berlucchi: Father of Franciacorta (with Franco Ziliani)
Top Exam Points — Memorize These!
Franciacorta = metodo classico DOCGOnly Italian sparkling without "spumante" on label; 18 mo lees min; Riserva 60 mo
Satèn = max 5 atm pressureBlanc de blancs style; Chardonnay (+/- Pinot Bianco); creamy, softer; 24 mo lees
Chiavennasca = NebbioloValtellina name; 5 sub-zones: Sassella, Grumello, Inferno, Valgella, Maroggia
Sforzato = dried grape NebbioloMin 14% alc; min 10% weight loss; rich "meditation wine"; 20 mo aging
Oltrepò = largest Pinot Nero in ItalySupplied Champagne historically; Bonarda = Croatina here (confusing!)
Lugana = Turbiana (Trebbiano)Shared DOC: Lombardy + Veneto; south Lake Garda; crisp, almond
Moscato di Scanzo = smallest DOCG~30 ha; sweet red passito; 100% Moscato di Scanzo; 2 yr aging
5 DOCGs totalFranciacorta, Valtellina Sup., Sforzato, Oltrepò Pavese MC, Moscato di Scanzo