A UNIQUE PASSION,
KEPT BETWEEN THE ROWS
In the heart of Franciacorta, Tenuta Vinea Ventis stands in Paratico, a corner of paradise where the magic of the place enchants the vines. Here, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Bianco draw strength from a soil, growing lush under the care of the Oglio Nord Park where wild life dances among the rows.
Our vines rise in espaliers, guided by expert hands, in search of perfect harmony between leaf and fruit. This balance, combined with the rarity of the soil, allows us to reveal to the world around 20,000 bottles of precious wines every year: Brut, Rosè, Satèn and, in the most generous vintages, the Nature Millesimato Pas Dosè.
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Franciacorta and Prosecco: two different ways of understanding bubbles
Franciacorta and Prosecco: two different ways of understanding bubbles
When discussing Italian sparkling wines, Franciacorta and Prosecco are often mentioned together. It happens in restaurants, in wine bars, among friends choosing what to drink. Two familiar names, two wines that are very common on our tables, but also two entities that, beneath their surface, tell profoundly different stories.
Understanding these differences doesn't mean deciding which is "better." Rather, it means knowing what's inside the glass, where it comes from, and why it behaves as it does. Because bubbles aren't all the same, and they don't all form at the same rate.
Not all bubbles are created the same way.
Why Franciacorta and Prosecco are often compared
Franciacorta and Prosecco both belong to the world of sparkling wines, but stopping at this definition risks flattening everything. It's a bit like saying that two dishes are both "pasta" without considering what ingredients are used, how they're cooked, and how long they take to prepare. The comparison often arises from confusion: both are Italian, both are sparkling wines, both are widely available. But from the very first production decisions, they begin to diverge, which is then reflected in the glass.
The territory: where every wine comes from
The Franciacorta area
Franciacorta originates in Lombardy, in a hilly area overlooking Lake Iseo. Here, viticulture develops on moraine soils, shaped over time, and vineyard work follows a precise balance between nature and human intervention. It's a land that encourages patience and observation, where time plays a central role.
The Prosecco hills
Prosecco, on the other hand, originates in northeastern Italy, between Veneto and Friuli-Venezia Giulia. The hills create a diverse landscape, as do the climate and growing conditions for the vines. This is reflected in wines that emphasize freshness, fragrance, and immediacy.
The production method: when time becomes part of the wine
The Classic Method of Franciacorta
One of the most important differences between Franciacorta and Prosecco concerns the way the bubbles are created, and above all the time each wine chooses to dedicate to itself.
Franciacorta is produced with the Classic method: the second fermentation takes place directly in the bottle, and from that moment the wine remains in contact with the yeasts for a long time before being marketed.
It is a strict discipline, established by the production specifications, and has very clear timeframes:
- for the Basic Franciacorta, at least 18 months of aging on the lees in the bottle before it can be disgorged
- for the Franciacorta Satèn And Rose, the minimum period of contact with the yeasts extends up to 24 months
- for the Vintage, i.e. wines obtained mainly from a single vintage, are required at least 30 months
- for the Reserve, the period in the bottle even exceeds the 60 months before disgorging and marketing
These times aren't a production whim: they're an essential part of Franciacorta's sensory profile. The wine evolves slowly on the lees, developing more complex aromas, structure, and depth, while the perlage refines with patience and time.
The Charmat-Martinotti Method of Prosecco
Prosecco instead follows the Charmat-Martinotti Method, in which the second fermentation takes place in large steel containers called autoclaves.
In these controlled environments, yeasts and sugars generate carbon dioxide that gives rise to the bubbles, but the process requires much shorter times than the Classic Method.
This approach allows us to preserve freshness and primary aromas, resulting in more immediate, fragrant and ready-to-drink wines.
It is not a difference of value, but of philosophy.
In Franciacorta, time accompanies the wine in its evolution, building structure and depth. In Prosecco, time is used functionally, to preserve fragrance and immediacy.
Two different choices, which tell of different ways of understanding bubbles and the experience in the glass.
Grapes: a question of identity
The varieties used in Franciacorta
Franciacorta is made from a set of grape varieties clearly defined by the production regulations. The permitted grapes are: Chardonnays, Pinot Noir And Pinot Blanc, with the possibility, introduced in recent years, of also using Erbamat in small percentages.
The combination of these grapes allows the Franciacorta to develop slowly, accompanying the long refinement required by the Classic Method and giving life to wines capable of changing and growing as the months pass on the lees.
Glera grapes in Prosecco
Prosecco, on the other hand, revolves around a specific grape variety: the Glera, which according to the specifications must represent at least the85% of the grape blend.
And it is precisely this grape that defines the identity of Prosecco, with its immediate aromas and its fresh, fragrant character.
In the glass: bubbles, profile and sensations
The perlage and structure of Franciacorta
Franciacorta presents itself with a fine and persistent perlageThe bubbles accompany the sip without overwhelming it, leaving room for a broader structure and a sensation of balance that develops slowly.
The freshness and immediacy of Prosecco
Prosecco displays livelier bubbles and a smoother drinkability. It's a wine that focuses on freshness, fragrance, and an immediate sensation, without requiring too much waiting.
Different occasions, not right or wrong choices
Putting Franciacorta and Prosecco in competition makes little sense. They were created to complement different situations, different habits, different times.
There are those who look for a wine to share during a meal, to savor slowly, letting it tell something about itself sip after sip.
There are those who prefer a more immediate, fresh sparkling wine, capable of adapting to light and spontaneous moments.
Knowing the differences helps precisely in this: choosing more consciously, without wrong expectations and without forced comparisons.
Understanding the differences to drink more carefully
Approaching the world of wine also means learning to ask the right questions. Where does it come from? How was it produced? What kind of experience can it offer? Franciacorta invites you to slow down. To observe, to understand, to let yourself be guided by the natural rhythm of things. It's a wine that doesn't want to be drunk quickly, but rather experienced. If you'd like to learn more about the world of Franciacorta, you can find a dedicated article on this topic. What is Franciacorta?, where we retrace the origins, territory and production choices.
Wine isn't just something to read or explain. It's made up of places, daily gestures, and shared time.
There are nuances that can only be truly grasped by walking among the rows, entering the cellar, listening to how a bottle is created, and tasting it in the context in which it takes shape.
If you'd like to discover Franciacorta, starting with its terroir and its rhythm, our winery is always ready to welcome you for a leisurely experience, allowing you the time to truly understand it.
Franciacorta DOCG: What It Really Means
Franciacorta DOCG: What It Really Means
If you look at the label of a bottle of Franciacorta, the acronym DOCG It stands out almost immediately. It's there as a promise, a seal of quality, but what does it really mean?
We often read it, we imagine it to be “good”, “important”, “quality”… but what touches the heart of those who choose it or uncork it?
Understanding what lies behind a designation like DOCG is a bit like going beyond a first impression. A name or an acronym isn't enough: it takes time to discover how something is born, the choices that guide it, and the kind of attention it requires. This is exactly what happens with wine.
DOCG: not just an acronym, but a journey
DOCG stands for Controlled and Guaranteed Designation of OriginIt is not a fashionable label, nor an official medal that applies to all wines by definition.
In Italy, this denomination represents the highest legal protection for a wine.
It means that the wine:
- it comes from a well-defined territory
- follows official production rules established by a specification
- It is subjected to checks along the entire process, from the origin of the grapes to the production method, up to the checks before being placed on the market
- certifies tradition, method and production consistency over time
In the case of Franciacorta, the DOCG is the expression of a work that concerns not only the final result, but every choice made along the way, in the vineyard and in the cellar.
A territory with a history and a character
Franciacorta is located in Lombardy, in the province of Brescia, nestled between morainic hills and close to Lake Iseo. Here, the mild climate, morainic soils, and winemaking tradition combine to create an environment particularly suited to the production of high-quality sparkling wines. In 1967, this area obtained its first DOC designation, one of the first in Italy, but it wasn't until 1995 that Franciacorta officially became DOCG, recognized as the pinnacle of Italian classic method sparkling wines.
What does the DOCG mean for Franciacorta producers?
The DOCG does not only concern where a wine is born, but above all how it is doneIt is a set of rules that accompany each phase of the work and that directly affect what we find in the glass.
The permitted grapes and vines
The Franciacorta DOCG production regulations precisely define which grapes can be used and in what proportions, precisely to preserve a recognizable and consistent style over time. For Franciacorta DOCG (white), the blend can consist of:
- Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir: they represent the basis of Franciacorta and define its structure and balance; they can also constitute the entire blend, without the obligation of minimum percentages, and therefore can also be used alone.
- Pinot Blanc, allowed up to a maximum of 50%
- Erbamat, native vine of the area, usable up to a maximum of 10%
For some specific typologies, the specifications provide more precise indications:
- Franciacorta Satèn: produced exclusively with white grapes, with Chardonnay in quantities no lower than 50% and Pinot Bianco permitted up to a maximum of 50%
- Franciacorta Rosé: must contain at least 35% of Pinot Noir, which can be accompanied by Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco (up to 50%) and Erbamat (up to 10%)
These choices are not random. They serve to maintain a recognizable and consistent identity, avoiding generic blends and making room for wines that truly express the character of Franciacorta, maintaining a recognizable thread that runs through the harvests and continuously tells the story of the terroir.
The production method
Franciacorta DOCG must be produced with the refermentation in the bottle — the same classic method as Champagne — and with the elimination of the deposit through the disgorgement, not with simpler or more industrial techniques. This process requires time, patience, and care: it's slow, laborious, and leaves no room for shortcuts.
Refinement times
To be able to carry the DOCG acronym, the wine must rest at least 18 months on the lees before being released for sale. Then there are longer refinements for specific types, such as the Millesimato and Riserva, which require even more time.
Franciacorta DOCG Types in the World
The DOCG doesn't identify a single style, but a family of distinct wines. Among the main types are:
- Franciacorta DOCG — the “basic” version, elegant and balanced
- Saten — softer and silkier, often perceived as gentler on the palate
- Rose — with a more fruity and lively note
- Vintage — the fruit of a single selected vintage and refined for a longer time
- Reserve —the deepest expression of time and patience
Each version interprets a different aspect of the territory and the method: from the freshness of the base to the complexity of the Riserva, passing through the delicacy of a Satèn.
What changes for those who drink
Now let's put it this way: imagine holding two wines in your hands, one with DOCG and one without. Both can be pleasant, but the Franciacorta DOCG carries with it a promise of consistency, method and recognisabilityWhen you pour it into the glass, the perlage is fine, the structure balanced, and the aromatic complexity often reflects the months spent in the bottle. This isn't a "guarantee of absolute goodness," but an invitation to examine the wine more carefully, knowing that behind that bottle lie rules, history, and choices. Just like when we choose a carefully crafted artisanal recipe, every sip reveals something deeper than simple pleasure.
The value of the DOCG for the territory
The DOCG doesn't just protect wine: it protects the work of people, the ability to read each season and interpret it in the bottle, and the reputation of a territory. It means that producers must be responsible for their choices, must look to the future and care for the vineyards as if they were part of their family history. And this is a beauty that goes beyond wine: it is respect for a place, for time, and for those, like us at Vinea Ventis, chooses to tell it honestly.
Knowing to drink better
When we talk about DOCG, we don't want you to feel lost in a list of rules to learn. Rather, we want you to understand what lies behind those letters: a territory, a method, a history of daily choices and people who work according to the natural rhythm of the seasons. Learning about the Franciacorta DOCG means approaching wine with curiosity, without rushing to judge. It means taking the time to listen to what the wine tells us, both in the glass and in the context in which it is born. Sometimes reading isn't enough. You want to see, hear, and breathe in the wine's story, and the cellar is where the story continues. Here, wine isn't just something to drink, but a true experience to be lived: among the vineyards, the silence, the aromas, and the daily work. It's there, for us, that Franciacorta truly finds its voice.
If you'd like to explore this place and experience it with us, here's the link to book a tour of the winery.
Franciacorta: Where this wine comes from and what makes it unique
Franciacorta: Where this wine comes from and what makes it unique
When we talk about Franciacorta, we often immediately think of a wine associated with important moments. It's the wine we choose to toast something important and experience it together. But even before the bottle, there's a place with a very specific story: hills, wind,
water and a work that is built over time. Explaining this wine means taking a close look at the land where it is born, the choices
that shape it and the philosophy of those who produce it. It all starts here.
What is Franciacorta?
Franciacorta is a wine that originates in the central-eastern part of Lombardy, between Brescia and Lake Iseo. This hilly area is deeply rooted in viticulture, and the climate, soil, and altitude create a unique balance.
The name refers to both the wine and its place of origin: a defined area, with precise characteristics and a long agricultural history. It's not an abstract definition, but the concrete expression of a terroir capable of influencing the wine's character.
It is this connection between place and product that makes it so recognizable: each bottle carries with it a fragment of the land where it was born.
The territory
Here, the landscape isn't a backdrop, but part of the result. The hills surrounding Lake Iseo are home to diverse soils—sand, clay, and moraine deposits—alternating between lightness and depth.
In the Oglio Nord Park, where woods, water, and wildlife coexist, the climate is shaped by the wind blowing from the lake and the constant changes of the day. It's an environment that can't be governed: each year brings a different balance, each season
a rhythm of its own.
The value of this area lies in this combination: nature, water, light, and a microclimate that allows the vines to grow steadily.
The gaze of Vinea Ventis
It is in this context that the work of Vinea Ventis was born.
The winery is located right in the Oglio Nord Park, in a corner where the wind is a daily presence and the river water helps create a stable, cool climate. Here, work always begins outside: between the rows, after the rain, with the leaves drying in the shade.
wind, with animals crossing the vineyards at dawn.
For us, producing wine means observing what happens around us: the reaction of the plants to changes in the weather, the behavior of the soil, the response of the vineyard in the most generous and in the most challenging years.
It's not a romantic approach, but a concrete one: the territory guides the choices and we accompany it, without forcing it.
This is the starting point of our work.
How it was born
The winemaking process begins in the vineyard. Here, we work to obtain balanced grapes: there's no single formula, but a series of decisions that depend on what happens throughout the year. Listening to the vineyard, understanding when to intervene and when to let it be, is an essential part of the process.
Craftsmanship. In the cellar, the pace changes, but the logic remains the same. We work to preserve what comes from the fields and guide it towards the final result. Each step has a specific purpose and contributes to giving the wine its own unique character: attention, consistency, and continuity.
No technicalities are needed to understand it: it was born this way, from a succession of choices that convey a precise idea of wine.
A wine to experience
Today this wine accompanies both special occasions and simpler moments: a dinner with friends, a family lunch, an important date that deserves to be remembered.
Those who choose it usually look for something that speaks to its origins and how it is produced. An interest that often arises from a glass tried at a restaurant, a visit to a winery, or more simply during a chat with someone who already knows this wine.
territory.
It's a journey that grows over time, driven by curiosity. Everyone finds their own way to discover it, following the rhythm they feel closest to.
A starting point
If this story has given you a glimpse of what's happening in our hills, coming to visit us is the easiest way to see it up close.
Our winery is open year-round: the land changes with the seasons, and each season reveals something different.
During your visit, you'll see how our work is born, understand what really happens year-round, and hear the stories of those who experience this place every day.
If you want to know this place and experience it with us, here you will find the link to book a
visit to the cellar.
