Italy’s version of “Champagne”

The Classic Method is a sparkling system that involves the carbonic refermentation of a base wine produced in general with non-aromatic vines, carried out in the bottle and followed by a more or less long period of aging on the lees in the same bottle.Refinement can vary from a few months up to three years or more of minimum stay, depending on the specification. The sugar residue is calibrated by adding or not adding a sugar solution (liqueur d’expedition),after the separation of the sparkling wine from the re-fermentation lees (disgorgement) and before the final corking. Depending on the amount of sugar residue in the sparkling wine, this is classified as:Pas-dosé o Brut-nature, Extra brut, Brut, Extra-dry, Dry, Demi sec, Doux(dolce)

In Italy, wines made with this method are labeled as “Metodo Classico” and there are a few regions known for this style.

Chardonnay, Pinot bianco, Pinot nero (vinified in white) are the most common grape varieties for this type of vinification. The first two give olfactory elegance to the sparkling wine, the third fullness of aromas and structure.

Franciacorta

The cultivation of vines has ancient origins on the hills of Franciacorta, as evidenced by the findings of prehistoric grape seed.Vine cultivation has been a constant in Franciacorta, where grapes were grown from Roman times to late antiquity and the Middle Ages.

An area that spans 19 municipalities in Lombardy’s Brescia province this region produces exceptional sparkling wines with Chardonnay, Pinot Blanc, and Pinot Noir that are aged as long as the finest vintage Champagne.

Established as a DOCG in 1995.

Trento

In the northernmost reaches of Italy, close to the Austrian border,one of the world’s most important wine-producing areas: Trentino, the southern half of the famous Trentino-Alto Adige wine region.

Thanks to Giulio Ferrari, who founded his name sake firm in 1902. Here, in high-altitude vineyards surrounded by the soaring Alps, Ferrari planted Chardonnay grapes to produce sparkling wines on par with the best Champagnes.Established as a DOC in 1993.

Principal White Grape Varieties:Chardonnay,Pinot Bianco

Principal Red Grape Varieties:Pinot Meunier,Pinot Nero

Oltrepo Pavese

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico, the sparkling wine made in the south of Lombardy's Pavia province. The protagonist is Pinot Noir that you can find in the white version (Blanc de Noir) or rosè

Established as a DOC in 1970, became a DOCG in 2007.

Principal Red Grape Varieties:Pinot Nero

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