Wine tourism in Franciacorta

Franciacorta is among the newest and most requested wine destinations in Italy, being nestled in the Lombardy region of Italy, stretching from the southern shores of Lake Iseo to the historic center of Brescia. This area offers a unique blend of vineyards, charming stone villages and it's perfectly located on the way from Milan to Verona (Lake Garda) and vice-versa. 

Franciacorta is renowned for its sparkling wines and even if it's a young destination it's definitely among the must-visit for anyone exploring Italy's most interesting wine destinations.

Join us as we uncover the soul and essence of Franciacorta. Whether you're planning a unique tour or seeking an unforgettable experience, Franciacorta should be at the top of your list. Ready to embark on a Wine Experience?

If you already know the most important info on Franciacorta and its great wineries, feel free to skip this guide and start your search for Franciacorta experiences available on winedering.com .

Franciacorta is located in the Lombardy region of Northern Italy, specifically between the cities of Brescia and Bergamo. This famous wine region is characterized by its lush and elegant vineyards, and proximity to Lake Iseo, which plays an important role for its microclimate. The area enjoys a temperate climate with warm summers and mild winters, ideal for grape cultivation. 

Today, Franciacorta is renowned for its premium sparkling wines, produced using the traditional method (Metodo Classico) which is similar to Champagne. The region's commitment to quality and innovation has made it one of Italy's most prestigious wine destinations!

When planning a trip to Franciacorta wine region, consider these two main travel routes and methods to make the most of your journey.

Route 1: West - East transfers

When planning a tour in Northern Italy, must-visit destinations often include Milan, Verona, and Venice. In many cases you may land in Milan and depart from Venice or vice-versa. That's why adding a stop-by in Franciacorta perfectly complements your itinerary.

Being located just over an hour from Milan and conveniently situated between Italy's economic capital and Verona, Franciacorta is an ideal stop. Enjoy the scenic vineyards and exquisite sparkling wines of Franciacorta, making your Northern Italy tour truly unforgettable.

Route 2: Daily tours from Milan or Veneto

If you are not moving from one destination to another but you're spending a couple of days in Milan or Verona, make sure that either a half or full day tour are dedicated to the discovery of great winemakers in Franciacorta. Whether by train, private car or ebike (from Franciacorta), you'll spend an outstanding time in this great location.

Franciacorta is a relatively small wine region located  in the province of Brescia and it covers an area of about 200 square kilometers (78 square miles0). Despite its modest size, Franciacorta is renowned for its great sparkling wines made using the traditional method, which is the same method used to produce Champagne).

The region is home to over 100 wineries. Even if not all of them organize wine experiences, the ones that are open to the public are not far from each other, meaning that you can visit wineries in the area either by a private car or also by bike and e-bike, for a special wine day tour of the area. 

This lively Lombard wine comes from a territory with a long-standing tradition of quality wine production, dating back to the Middle Ages, as historical evidence confirms. The name Franciacorta first appeared in 1277, referring to the "curtes francae," but vineyards existed even earlier.

The modern history of Franciacorta began in 1961 with 11 producers, 29 hectares of vineyards, and a production of 2000 hectoliters of Pinot di Franciacorta. That year, the first wine to bear the name Franciacorta was released from Guido Berlucchi's cellar. Just a few years later, in 1967, Franciacorta was recognized as a Denomination of Controlled Origin (DOC) zone.

Franciacorta DOCG sparkling wine typically features a fine, persistent perlage and offers great complexity and structure. Its color ranges from straw yellow to brilliant golden. Grape varieties used for producing Franciacorta are primarily Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco (up to 50%), and Pinot Nero and a maximum of 10% of Erbamat

In other presentations (Chianti Classico or Montalcino, for example) we discussed about the different products that pair perfectly with those specific wines. In this Franciacorta we'll try to change this a little bit, starting from the different types of Franciacorta that may be paired differently. 

Let's start from the different types of Franciacorta:

Franciacorta: The most common type, it features a balanced flavor profile with fine, persistent bubbles. It's versatile. There are various types of Franciacorta (see above), whose characteristics depend on the quantities of liqueur d’ expédition added during disgorging, go with a wide range of dishes.

Franciacorta Satèn: Exclusively made from white grapes (Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco), this wine has softer bubbles and a creamy texture. It's perfect with delicate dishes like seafood, risotto, and soft cheeses.

Franciacorta Rosé: Made with a higher proportion of Pinot Noir, It is often paired  with cured meats or also grilled fish, not to forget spicy dishes.

Franciacorta Millesimato: Produced from a single vintage year, it has complex flavors as it has to for at least 30 months. This product pairs well with rich dishes like roasted meats and aged cheeses.

Franciacorta Riserva: Last but not least, the Riserva is aged for at least 60 months, guaranteeing  deep complexity and rich flavors. Best enjoyed with sophisticated dishes such as truffle-based recipes.

Here are our top 5 recommendations for wine experiences in Franciacorta, carefully selected by Winedering, the world's most popular wine and food experiences marketplace. These experiences, booked by thousands of customers, are the ones we highly recommend for creating unforgettable moments.

If you're in need of inspiration for your next trip or want to make adjustments to your existing reservation in Lombardy, take a look at our top 2 itineraries suggested by Winedering for the interesting Franciacorta wine region.

Experience an enchanting day tour in Franciacorta  with a day trip combining 2 important and different wineries together with a light lunch close to the Iseo Lake.

Get ready to live a memorable journey through the heart of Franciacorta with an exclusive 3 wineries visits and tastings. By the end of the day you'll have discovered and tasted at least 8 glasses of exquisite sparkling Franciacorta wines

With detailed itineraries and insider tips, your adventure through Franciacorta will be both seamless and enriching.

Remember to take your time, enjoy the stunning views, and soak in the warm hospitality of the local winemakers and residents. Here's to many memorable wine experiences in the heart of Lombardy, that you can easily book online on Winedering.com, the best online wine tourism marketplace worldwide. 

Buon viaggio and cheers to your Franciacorta adventure!

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