Franciacorta is a territory comprising of nineteen municipalities (Adro, Capriolo, Cazzago San Martino, Cellatica,  Coccaglio, Cologne, Corte Franca, Erbusco, Gussago, Iseo,  Monticelli Brusati, Ome, Paderno Franciacorta, Paratico, Passirano, Provaglio d'Iseo, Rodegno Saiano, Rovato and Brescia) in the province of Brescia to the south of lake Iseo, in the Italian region of Lombardy. The name Franciacorta dates back to 1277 and is deeply rooted in the “curtes francae” which means an area of free trade.

The fascinating cultural heritage of Franciacorta is mirrored in the enviromental beauty of its vineyards...endless rows of vines of Chardonnay, Pinot nero and bianco grapes as far as the eye can see.

Beautiful cellars rich of millions of “bollicine” hide under every winery… “bollicine” means small bubbles to indicate the perlage of these elegant sparkling wines which acquired their DOCG status in 1995. Since August 1, 2003, Franciacorta has been the only Italian wine not obliged to declare its DOCG appellation on the label, a privilege shared with its famous French cousin, Monseur Champagne, whose AOC is excluded from labels too.

I recommend anyone who is curious to find out more about the famous “Bollicine” d’Italia to go and enjoy the Franciacorta Festival coming up this weekend 18th and 19th September 2010. For more information check this out http://www.festivalfranciacorta.it/.. it is in Italian though.

...Say tuned and I will tell you more..