There’s a Lesser-Known Italian Bubbly you Need to Try

It’s no wonder Prosecco has taken the UK by storm, with its light, fruity taste and affordable price.

However, any enthusiastic Prosecco-lover would be missing out if they didn’t look a little south, to another area of Italy producing outstanding, yet lesser-known, sparkling wines.

We’re talking about Franciacorta of course, one of Italy’s best-kept secrets. In a similar way that France’s Crémants can get overlooked on the world stage thanks to the fame of Champagne, Franciacorta is less spoken about than its highly popular cousin.

This may soon change as Franciacorta gains steam in the professional wine and food industries – after all, the more different choices of Italian fizz the better! The more competitive the market, the better wines and prices we get as an end result.

The exceptional quality of Franciacorta means it has become a quiet favourite amongst wine enthusiasts.

The main difference between these Italian wines is that Prosecco is made using the tank method, a less expensive prosecco where the wine is fermented in steel tanks. This produces a lighter taste. Franciacorta is made using the traditional method, the same one used to produce Champagne. It means there’s a second fermentation in individual bottles which results in a more complex flavour. Read more about the differences here.

However, it hasn’t taken off quite like Prosecco. The name hasn’t yet reached popularity among shoppers. Another reason might be price tag. Franciacorta, thanks to the more laborious production methods and higher quality, costs more than Prosecco – more in the Champagne price-range. You can find some great options online for under £20, so it’s definitely worth a try.

So why not swap out your Prosecco and treat yourself to it’s bolder, more mature cousin now and again. Here are a couple of suggestions:

Ca del Bosco Cuvee Rose’ Prestige
Franciacorta Brut Corteaura
Franciacorta Brut DOCG ‘Gran Cuvée Alma’

Find over 250 Franciacorta and food matching ideas in our database here.