As the end of the year approaches, and heartfelt toasts abound, I thought it would be a good moment for this friendly reminder: France isn't the sole producer of fine sparkling wines, and Italy's sparkling wine industry is not just about prosecco. Here are some of my favorite traditional-method Italian wines that will sparkle and shine in your raised glass and please your palate into the new year!
Understanding Italian Sparkling Wines
In Italy, metodo classico or "classic method" is synonymous with Champagne-style wine-making, which includes the second fermentation in bottle, riddling, disgorgement and, sometimes, the addition of a dosage, the winery's secret concoction that typically consists of sugar and yeast. (Take a look at this informative chart on sparkling wine-making by Wine Folly).
In many of Italy's twenty regions, there are producers who make metodo classico sparkling wines from a myriad of grapes (Aglianico, Primitivo, and Garganega to name a few). While perusing the sparkling wine section of your local wine shop, keep an eye out for metodo classico on the label.
The following Metodo Classico wines are Italy’s most famous and are all tied to a particular appellation.
FRANCIACORTA DOCG // LOMBARDY
While metodo classico sparkling wine can be made anywhere in Italy, there are some metodo classico wines that proudly carry a proper name. Franciacorta is a protected appellation and its wines can only be made in a particular region in Lombardy, using Chardonnay, Pinot Noir/ Nero and Pinot Blanc/Bianco. Bellavista, Ca' del Bosco, and Berlucchi are the historical producers in the area and whose wines are easier to find in the United States. Franciacorta DOCG sparkling wines can range from citrusy and dry to creamy and nutty depending on the grape blend, dosage, and aging.
ALTA LANGA DOCG // PIEMONTE
While Franciacorta gets most of the attention for Italy’s sparkling wines, Alta Langa from Piemonte is the country’s oldest Metodo Classico. The first bottle was made at Contratto, a stunning place to visit with its cathedral-like cellars (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) dug into a hillside in the town Canelli. Try Contratto's Blanc de Blancs made from 100% Chardonnay which offers floral, citrus and a touch of ginger on the palette, not to mention a steady stream of fine bubbles.
TRENTO DOC // TRENTINO - ALTO-ADIGE
In the early 1900s, Chardonnay grapes were brought from France to the pre-Alpine city of Trento by Giulio Ferrari, founder of the Ferrari winery. Having studied wine-making in the Champagne region of France, Ferrari was determined to create equally fine wines in his native Trento. Three generations later, Ferrari is still family-run, but now has over 40 neighboring wineries dedicated to producing these rich, well-rounded sparkling DOC wines made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir/ Nero, Pinot Meunier, and Pinot Blanc/ Bianco.
As the Italian say onomatopoeically when they clink glasses: