Franciacorta Satèn is a special style of Italian sparkling wine made in the Franciacorta region of Lombardy.
It is known for being softer, creamier, and more elegant than other Franciacorta styles.
Citrus and Green Fruit are typical Satèn flavors.
Lemon |
Lime |
Pear |
Peach |
Butter |
Yeast |
Brioche |
Almonds |
Oak |
Vanilla |
Toast |
Nuts |
Satèn is lighter and dryer than Champagne.
| SUGAR: | Dry (3 g/l) |
| BODY: | Light |
| FRUIT: | Low |
| ACIDITY: | High |
| Serving temperature: 8-10°C (46-50°F) | |
You can drink sparkling wines to almost everything whether it is French Champagne, Spanish Cava, or Italian Prosecco.
Sparkling Wines pair well with salt, because the bubbles break up the salt in the mouth.
Aperitif |
Salads |
Tapas |
Fries |
Seafood |
Oysters |
Fish |
Sushi |
Risotto |
Chicken |
Egg Dishes |
Pasta |
Green Salad. Fries.
Seafood. Oysters. Clams.
Fried Fish. Fried Chicken.
Egg Dishes. Pasta.
Sushi. Sashimi.
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A Champagne Glass with a bell that points to the bottom, allows a pilar of bubbles to build up inside the glass. This is not only beautiful, but also extends the "life" of the champagne. A wide middle section lifts the aromas out of the wine. A smaller opening concentrates the scent to the nose and directs the drink to the front of the tongue where it heightens an experience of sweetness. |
Satèn must be made exclusively from Chardonnay and/or Pinot Bianco (no Pinot Noir).
The wine is produced with a maximum of 5 atmospheres of pressure (compared to 6 for classic sparkling styles).
This gives Satèn its signature silky, creamy, mousse-like texture.
The name "Satèn" comes from seta, meaning silk in Italian.
Because it uses only white grapes, it is similar to a Blanc de Blancs Champagne, but softer and rounder.
Like all Franciacorta, Satèn must age at least 24 months on the lees, adding depth, brioche notes, and fine bubbles.
The creamy, buttery texture and mild flavors of Brie or Camembert pair well with Satèn's soft bubbles and fruity notes. Serve the cheese at room temperature with slices of pear or apple.
The tangy, fresh flavors of goat cheese complement the acidity often found in Satèn, especially those made from Chenin Blanc or Sauvignon Blanc. Drizzle with a bit of honey or sprinkle with fresh herbs.
This creamy, slightly tangy cheese enhances Satèn's gentle acidity and complements its soft bubbles. Serve with fresh berries or a touch of apricot jam.
This semi-hard, nutty cheese pairs beautifully with the gentle effervescence and often fruity character of Satèn. Add some dried fruits or nuts to highlight the pairing.
Franciacorta is a DOCG since 1995. It was the first Italian area to obtain a DOCG for production of Metodo Classico wines:
The production method is the same as for French Champagne (Méthode Champenois).
The minimum ageing ranges from 18 months to several years for Riservas.
Franciacorta tastes like Champagne, but it is less expensive, and needs less "dosage" (added sugar for the second fermentation), because the warmer climate gives the grapes a higher sugar content.
In Italy, Sparkling wines are called Frizzante or Spumante.
| Frizzante Light bubbles (2.5 - 3.5 bars of pressure) |
Spumante Fully sparkling (4 - 6 bars of pressure) |
| Prosecco | Prosecco Spumante |
| Moscato d'Asti | Asti Spumante |
| Pignoletto Frizzante | Pignoletto Spumante |
| Lambrusco |
Metodo Classico is the Italian name for wines produced the same way as Champagne.
| DOC(G) | Grapes |
|---|---|
| Trentodoc DOC (1993) | Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco |
| Franciacorta DOCG (1995) | Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero. |
| Greco di Tufo DOCG (2003) | Greco (main grape) |
| Oltrepò Pavese DOCG (2007) | Pinot Nero (main grape) |
| Alta Langa DOCG (2011) | Minimum 90 % Chardonnay + Pinot Nero |
Trentodoc was the first area in the world (after Champagne) to get a DOC for Traditional Method wines.
Black Grapes |
White Grapes |
17% Croatina |
13% Chardonnay |
Red Wines |
White Wines |
Bonarda |
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Rosè Wines |
Sparkling Wines |
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Alcohol can be addictive. Always drink in moderation.
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