Ca’ del Bosco – Interview With Maurizio Zanella

Exploring the Sparkling Wine world will take you to every corner of the globe, there is so much to explore and taste, it would take several lifetimes to experience everything, but it is our mission here at Glass of Bubbly to highlight every country, region and bubbly producer, along with the incredible people making it all possible.

In this exclusive feature on Glass of Bubbly, we travel to Italy, visiting one of the biggest and most well known Franciacorta producers, Ca’ del Bosco, to speak with Maurizio Zanella, the Owner of Ca’ del Bosco, let’s discover a little about his life, his journey in the industry and one of his most memorable bubbly memories.

It’s Great To Speak With You, Mr Maurizio Zanella, Can You Tell Us A Little About Yourself & How Your Incredible Journey Into The Wine Industry Began?

“Actually making wine wasn’t my dream, it became one later when I came to live here in Erbusco, in the countryside. For me, used to living in a big city like Milan, it was a very demanding choice but it allowed me to discover and love this territory. A trip to France then completed the work. Returning from this trip, with this idea in mind, I found support in my family, first of all from my mother Annamaria Clementi. My father was then fundamental to start everything, even if he was not so convinced of my choice.”

Do You Remember Your First Experience With Sparkling Wine? When It Was And What Kind Of Label It Was?

“The first time was in Champagne in 1973. The Lombardy Department organized a trip to Burgundy and Champagne for vine growers and winemakers. I took part in it instead of my mother, so it was a good opportunity for me to skip school. I did not know then that it would be the decision that would change my life. On that occasion, I had the opportunity to visit very prestigious wineries and it was the first time I tasted a glass of Champagne, specifically Veuve Clicquot and Taittinger.”

How Rewarding And Challenging Is Managing Ca’ del Bosco?

“It’s very challenging! Manpower and expertise are essential in our work. Care and dedication require many hours of work, a lot of effort and patience. An excellent wine is born in the vineyard, so that’s where our effort is concentrated. Carrying out most of the operations manually is not easy but it is necessary for quality.”

Ca’ del Bosco’s Annamaria Clementi R.S. 1980 Was Recently Launched In London At A Special Dinner With Jancis Robinson, Hugh Johnson, MW’s And Some Of The Largest Wine Publications, Having Tasted The Incredible Aging Potential Of Franciacorta Myself, Can You Share With Us Your Thoughts And Expectations For The Future Of Well Aged Franciacorta?

“It was the 1980 vintage that sparked in us the crazy idea of forgetting some 6,000 bottles ‘sur pointe’ to be able to study, explore and discover the potential of our Franciacorta over time, and share it one day. Now that the bottle is on the market, it is a dream come true. What seemed to be a crazy idea turned out to be a winning choice. For the future, I believe these old vintages will bring us great surprises. The goal is to release a new old vintage every two years, consistent with market trends. Each bottle has its own story, and it will be wonderful to discover the effects of time on that wine. This is a project that has required a lot of patience and sacrifice, as we have taken a risk to apparate these bottles for all these years, but now we are convinced that we have created something unique that fans will enjoy.”

If You Could Choose A Person In The World, Past Or Present, To Have A Glass of Bubbly With; Who Would It Be And Why? What Would You Drink And Why? What Would You Discuss And Why?

“Very difficult question…I would say John Lennon. In addition to his talents as a singer and instrumentalist, I really appreciate his charisma, his incredible versatility and his influence on social issues. I would taste any wine produced by Ca’ del Bosco. With him, I would talk about a topic that is also very close to my heart, which is the importance of making quality accessible to everyone, in this case, that related to food and, why not, wine.”

When It Comes To Pairing Your Franciacorta With Food, Do You Have Any Favourite Combinations That You Would Personally Recommend?

“One of my favorite pairings and one that perfectly marries the tradition of the area is baked tench. We are talking about a typical dish of Lake Iseo, very rich in flavor and served strictly with polenta. A very strong flavor that needs freshness, so with Franciacorta it is perfect!”

Can You Share With Us Some Of The Countries And Locations Around The World That You Can Enjoy A Glass Of Ca’ del Bosco?

“The export is close to 20%, our main markets, outside Italy, are the United States, Switzerland, Japan, Germany and the UK. We still have a lot to do in order to promote our wines in other countries, but we are satisfied with what we have done until today: if you’re looking for a glass of our Franciacorta, you can find them in the best locations.”

What Future Plans Can Enthusiasts Of Ca’ del Bosco Look Forward To In The Coming Years?

“We are never standing still and above all we are never completely satisfied with what we do. By the end of 2023, we have reached the number of hectares we set for ourselves years ago, and the cellar spaces have been completed to accommodate the ‘fruit’ of more than 280 hectares. Now what we need to do is to work ever harder on quality. Invest in research and innovation to always and only get the best from our soils.”

Can You Share With Us One Of The Most Memorable Experiences You’ve Enjoyed With A Glass of Bubbly?

“I remember toasting with the players of the AC Milan soccer team on the occasion of them winning the Italian Championship. I was with them in the locker rooms celebrating this stunning victory with a big size of Cuvée Prestige: 6 litres of bubbles !”

Thank you, Maurizio Zanella, for sharing your story and experiences with us and we at Glass of Bubbly wish you the very best for the future!

Images belong to Maurizio Zanella. Glass of Bubbly was granted permission to use them.