Franciacorta vs Prosecco

We’ve seen how Prosecco has taken the sparkling wine industry by storm, even outselling Champagne in the UK.

However, another Italian sparkling wine is gaining momentum: Franciacorta. 

Franciacorta DOCG is grown in the Province of Brescia (Lombardy). There are 5,400 acres of DOCG vineyards and Franciacorta has had DOCG status since 1995.

Even though they are both Italian sparkling wines, they are actually quite different. Prosecco is made wih the Glera grape and produced using the charmat method (also known as tank method). This means second fermentation takes place in steel tanks.

Franciacorta is producing using the traditional method where secondary fermentation takes place in the individual bottles. Also known as méthode champagneoise since it’s the method Champagnes must adhere to. It’s more costly and laborious than the tank method since each bottle needs to be turned regularly.

Tank method wines tend to be fruitier, whereas traditional method wines have more toastiness and nutiness and tend to be more creamy.

This means, in general, Franciacorta is a more complex wine. However, along with that comes a higher price tag, which is perhaps why it has yet to take off as well as Prosecco. Sales of Franciacorta have doubled since 2013 in the UK, but still only 9% of bottles are exported from Italy.

Prosecco offers a light, fruity taste which is great value, but Franciacorta is the Italian sparkling wine to equal Champagne.

Discover Franciacorta:

Berlucchi Cuvée Imperiale NV Franciacorta DOCG –  £19.99 at Majestic

Marks & Spencer Franciacorta – £14.25 or £85.50 for case of 6 at M&S

Bellavista – Franciacorta Cuvee Brut NV – £28.62 at TheDrinkShop.com

Franciacorta Brut NV, Il Mosnel – £22.50 at ViniItaliani

6 Wineries to visit in Franciacorta