Franciacorta, a sparkling wine from Italy's Franciacorta region. The year 2021 offers a rich lineup of products perfect for those embracing a 'natural life,' including organic, biodynamic, and vegan options.

Franciacorta is a supreme sparkling wine produced in the Franciacorta region, a hilly area by Lake Iseo near Milan in Lombardy, northern Italy, using the traditional method of secondary fermentation in the bottle.

Wine has been produced in the Franciacorta region since the 16th century, though it was primarily for local consumption at the time. In the late 1950s, new confidence was found in the potential of this soil for sparkling wine production, and by the early 1970s, a solid foundation was established for manufacturing high-quality products.

While secondary fermentation in tanks was an option, most producers from the outset preferred the more labor-intensive secondary fermentation in the bottle. This slow fermentation and aging process in the bottle creates fine bubbles. Adhering to the production rulebook as the first Italian wine made exclusively by the traditional method, it achieved certification as Italy's highest designation, D.O.C.G. (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita).

Today, 118 wineries produce under strict and meticulous standards. It has been selected as the official wine of Milan Fashion Week and is cherished by the fashion-conscious in Italy, including discerning Milanese, as well as celebrities. Furthermore, the Franciacorta region is heavily invested in developing environmental protection projects through sustainable grape cultivation, with over two-thirds of the vineyards currently practicing organic grape farming, making it a region with a particularly high level of environmental awareness among wine-producing areas.

Among these, we have curated a lineup of products that we highly recommend for those embracing a 'natural life,' including organic, biodynamic, and vegan options. All can be purchased online, so why not consider incorporating Franciacorta into your ideas for enjoying time at home?

Barone Pizzini Franciacorta DOCG Extra Brut "Animante"
A Franciacorta producer with a long history in Lombardy dating back to 1870, Barone Pizzini was the first in Franciacorta to obtain organic winery certification in 2001. As a pioneer in organic farming, they pursue winemaking that respects the environment and highlights the inherent character of the grapes. Its charm lies in aromas of acacia honey, apricot, and dried fruit, with a floral and creamy taste. It is released after more than 20 months of aging in the bottle.
URL |https://www.grandecuisine.jp/shopdetail/000000000288/brand_pizzini/page1/order/）
Price | ¥4,840

Corte Fusia Franciacorta Satèn NV
Corte Fusia, a young producer, has earned a place in Italy's renowned wine guides within just six years of its founding in 2010. With an annual production of only 4,500 bottles, this is a limited release. It is an extremely dry wine with no added sugar or liqueur, and a residual sugar content of 2g/L. It has a whitish-yellow hue, offering a fresh sensation followed by a deep, lingering finish. It pairs well with creamy dishes and Chinese cuisine.
URL |https://melone.co.jp/c/wine/cortefusia/cf002）
Price | ¥10,010

Biondelli NV Franciacorta Brut
Biondelli is a prestigious family-run winery located in Bornato, the heart of Franciacorta in Lombardy, with vineyards spanning 10 hectares, though its history dates back to the 18th century. They obtained organic certification in 2014. It presents elegant and captivating aromas of grapefruit, lemon, dried fruit, and toasted yeast. Hints of ripe apple are also present. The palate is filled with pleasant bubbles and a creamy texture, with a well-balanced interplay of fruit and acidity, and a striking minerality.
URL |https://www.bbr.co.jp/fs/berrybros/ID0901A）
Price | ¥5,610

Majolini Franciacorta Brut Rosé NV M Label
Majolini's winery is located in Ome, a town with beautiful rural scenery in the northeastern part of Franciacorta. The pure limestone strata known as 'medolo' provide abundant minerals to the grapes grown here, yielding vibrant and lively wines. It has a brilliant, clear coral pink color with high viscosity and a fine, leisurely effervescence. The palate is soft, with a sweet and sour berry flavor, a deep aroma reminiscent of cocoa, and a moderate weight and body, leaving a long finish. It is also delicious with further aging.
(Purchase Site URL: http://wine.reale.shop/shopdetail/000000000210/) ¥7,480 (tax included)

Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Millesimato "Mille" Brut 2012
The winery was established in 1999 and owns four wineries across Italy. The vineyards for Franciacorta are located in six areas of the Adro municipality, totaling 60 hectares. Each of these six areas has distinct soil characteristics, and to leverage these properties, they create six different Franciacorta wines without blending grapes from each vineyard. It has a refined acidity that feels refreshing, delicate bubbles, and the savory essence of aged fruit. The elegant finish is particularly noteworthy.
URL |https://store.vinohayashi.com/shop/products/VCMI12）
Price | ¥6,380

Mosnel Franciacorta Brut Nature Organic
Mosnel means 'stone mountain' in the local dialect. Indeed, the vineyards are very stony, making agricultural work difficult, but the founder of this winery favored this name because it is excellent land for wine. Due to the terrain, the minerality lends depth, elegance, and longevity to the wine. It has a pale greenish-gold hue, vibrant and clear aromas, and a youthful taste reminiscent of hawthorn, grapefruit, and lemon verbena with white peach, characterized by a persistent finish.
URL |https://www.tuscany.co.jp/products/detail102789.html）
Price | ¥5,588

Ca' del Bosco Franciacorta Cuvée Prestige Rosé
Ca' del Bosco is a leading winery. They began organic farming about 20 years ago and are now certified. They have also patented their grape washing system and unique disgorging system, constantly challenging themselves and undertaking innovative initiatives. It has a refined aroma reminiscent of fresh gooseberry, blueberry, and blackberry, with crisp minerality alongside flavors of small red fruits and a hint of orange peel. It is a well-balanced, full-bodied wine that showcases the character of Franciacorta with excellent structure.
URL |https://item.rakuten.co.jp/toscana/10009305/）
Price | ¥7,293

Cavalleri Franciacorta DOCG Blanc de Blancs Brut
All grapes used are from their own organically farmed vineyards, and they exclusively use Chardonnay for their sparkling white wines, a testament to their dedication. Cavalleri is a winery renowned for its standard cuvée, 'Blanc de Blancs Brut.' This particular wine, finished with minimal dosage (added sugar), offers a pleasant spread of fruitiness, with the bubbles seamlessly transforming into umami. Its refined dry finish makes it a refreshing pairing even with rich dishes like risotto or fried foods.
(Note: This wine is a blend primarily of the 2016 vintage and is Non-Dosé (no added sugar))
URL |https://item.rakuten.co.jp/toscana/10014019/
Price | ¥3,850

QUADRA Franciacorta Brut "Green Vegan"
※Vegan-friendly
Quadra was established in 2003, but grape cultivation was already underway. Since 2008, by harvesting early, they achieve good acidity and lower alcohol content. By slowly cooling and clarifying the wine, the use of chemical additives like sorbic acid is minimized, preserving the natural flavor. Malolactic fermentation is not performed. These three changes have resulted in more exquisite fineness and persistence of bubbles, and a more balanced taste, creating Franciacorta that truly reflects the grapes' original character. The aroma is fresh and fruity, with notes of apple, tropical fruits, a bouquet of white flowers, and hints of toastiness and almond yeast. It has a wonderfully balanced palate with moderate acidity and minerality, offering a full-bodied and complex taste. It is mineral-driven and dry, with a surprisingly long finish.
URL |https://www.web-monaca.com/?pid=109045013）
Price | ¥5,060

La Torre Franciacorta Brut NV
La Torre is a traditional family-run winery that has been in operation since 1969. The name 'La Torre' (the tower) was inspired by the campanile (bell tower) in the village of Adro, where the winery is located. While minimal winemaking occurred from 1969 onwards, the Corsini family's passion was directed towards refined Franciacorta DOCG from 2001, eventually developing into the Corsini family's flagship brand. It has a toasty aroma reminiscent of baked bread, a harmony of citrus fruits, dried fruits, and almonds, and a bouquet from fermentation. It has a golden straw color. It pairs well with all types of cuisine, especially delicate dishes as an aperitivo (appetizer), and also with desserts.
URL |https://melone.co.jp/c/wine/latorre/lt001）
Price | ¥6,380

1701 (Diciassette Zero Uno) CRESPIa Franciacorta
This is a new winery that began operations in 2012. In 2016, it became the first in Franciacorta to receive 'Demeter' certification as a biodynamic producer. They are meticulous, using homemade compost and natural yeasts for both primary and secondary fermentation. The wine has a straw-yellow hue. The aroma is a refreshing yet complex impression, combining notes of green apple and ripe apple with the rich nuances of minerality and yeast. On the palate, it has a striking attack with high acidity and minerality, where the elegance of Chardonnay and the richness of Pinot Nero are exquisitely intertwined.
URL |http://wine-yuhara.com/products/detail11240.html）
Price | ¥5,445

*The displayed image, vintage, and alcohol content may differ from the actual product.