Franciacorta: the Italian word for Champagne

As a guy that ran a wine shop for a few years, one of the pet-peeves I developed surrounded the champagne/sparkling wine/prosecco/moscato selection. It absolutely drove me CRAZY when someone walked into the store asking for "champagne" when they really wanted "cheap bubbly wine."

By definition, "Champagne" comes from a very specific region in France, is made from specific grapes, and made in a certain style. Unfortunately, "Champagne" starts at about $30-35/bottle minimum, but most of the good stuff is in the $40-60 per bottle range.

That being said, there are lots of good bubbly wines from all around the world that don't technically fall into the category of true Champagne. There are fantastic Cava wines from Spain, delicious Prosecco producers from northern Italy, great California imitations, and my new favorite: Franciacorta!

For all intensive purposes, Franciacorta is Italian champagne. Franciacorta is made from the same grapes as Champagne, and in the same method; called Methode Champenoise (if you're French) or Methode Franciacorta (if you're Italian). However, legal requirements for production volume, aging process, and grapes used are more strict in Italy than in France. Does that mean that Franciacorta from northern Italy is better than Champagne from France? Not necessarily. But it should make you wonder how loose the laws are in France!

Tonight's wine is the Tenuta Villa Crespia Franciacorta "Brolese" Brut Rose. Made from Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, this out-drinks many true Champagnes I've had at twice the price. The nose is fruity with a touch of earthy-funk, just like a traditional Champagne. On the palate the Brolese has some fruit, balanced with great acidity, a nice long finish, and perfectly dry.

As a Champange lover/snob/junkie, I feel that I can make an informed opinion of sparkling wine and bubbly imitations. Let me tell you: This is d.e.l.i.c.i.o.u.s.!!! I'm generally a fan of the small-production, high-quality grower Champagnes (especially from the Terry Thiese portfolio), and the Villa Crespia "Brolese" holds its own against many Rose Champagne's I've tried. Plus, to top it off, the "Brolese" should be selling at your local wine shop for about half the price of VC Rose, MC Rose, or any other big brand 'champagne' Rose!

Villa Crespia "Brolese" Brut Rose

TCSH Rating: 9/10

Aka - Stunning, I love it!

Eli

Bibo Ergo Sum

Pierre Jourdan Brut

Pierre Jourdan Brut - a South African imitation of French champagne. Traditional champagne is largely a blend of chardonnay and pinot noir, and this bubbly from South Africa is no different. Made from 60% chardonnay and 40% pinot noir, I've been a fan of the Pierre Jourdan since the first time I tried it.

The Brut pours out a bright golden-straw color, with plenty of bubbles rising from the bottom of the glass. A beautiful nose of delicate fruits, soft florals, and mild toast. The chardonnay is always used in champagne to give the wine an elegance, while the pinot is used for fruit and structure.

Taking a sip, my palate detects the same characters as my nose. Light and delicate fruit is balanced nicely with some mild richness, subtle toastiness, and great structure. Good acidity cleanses the palate quickly, but before long I'm diving in for another sip.

I've told numerous clients about the Pierre Jourdan Brut over the past couple years, and I stand by my statement.  The Pierre Jourdan Brut tastes more like "champagne" than many actual champagnes. Plus, at under $20 per bottle, this is a super-value! There are few $40 bottles of bubbly that do this good of a job in the world of sparkling wine.  I'd recommend the Pierre Jourdan for two distinct types of people: a) the person that says they only like 'real' champagne, and b) the person who says they don't like sparkling wine.

Pierre Jourdan Brut
TCSH Rating: 9/10
Aka - Doesn't get much better than this!

Eli
Bibo Ergo Sum

Soligo Prosecco Milesimato Vintage 2004

Vintage prosecco you ask? Yes, definitely! I've said many times at the store that our Soligo prosecco is the second best I've ever tasted, second only to this bottle.

This is the Vintage 2004 Extra Dry Prosecco from Soligo. Very small production, and very high quality, this vintage prosecco tastes more like a champagne than it does prosecco. Their vintage prosecco is only produced in exceptional years, which makes this a fairly rare find. We had the last case or so in the state, and I've pulled it from my shelves now. Only two bottles left, one for Sharon and one for me!

The bubbles are small and tight. Aromas of soft floral notes, and some of that yeasty/breadiness like a good champagne.

Once on the palate, it is light, soft, smooth, and delicate. The perfect amount of sugar and the perfect amount of carbonation makes this an unbeatable bottle of prosecco.

And, just to top it all off, it's only half the price of good champagne!

Soligo Prosecco
Milesimato Vintage 2004
TCSH Rating- 9.5/10
Aka - I can't wait til their next vintage of Milesimato!
Eli
Bibo ergo sum

Gruet Brut

I'm always on the lookout for great values, especially in the sparkling wine department. Because, quite honestly, few things give me that warm and fuzzy feeling like showing people that 'the most popular sparkling wine in America' doesn't mean it tastes good.

Upon opening, the cork was anxious to get out, I had to hold it back from popping across the room. Pouring into the glass, there's tons of small bubbles right away, but the thick foam disappears fairly rapidly. The bubbles aren't gone though, it continues to show some carbonation for quite a long time.

The Gruet is a little more rich than I prefer, but pretty nice. I enjoy the delicate style of beautiful French champagne, but I've got no problem with this one. Each time I pour a little more, there's a ton of fizz, quickly dying, but bubbles continue gently from the center of the flute.

Like I said, its a little richer than I prefer, but its still pretty smooth. When you consider that this is an American sparkling wine, made in the traditional Methode Champenoise, for under $15, this is quite good.

I can't remember the name, but there's some other American 'champagne' that starts with a "K". Whatever it is, right about the same price as this Gruet Brut, and this Gruet is easily twice, if not three times the product. Thumbs up from my side of the table.

Gruet Brut
750 mL - 12% abv
Methode Champenoise Sparkling Wine
New Mexico, U.S.
T.C.S.H. Rating - 8.5/10
Aka - I've had better, but very few
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