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.