Ferghettina Eronero Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG

The whole grapes are vinified using the marmonnier press, an ancient pressing system that guarantees great respect for the characteristics of the Pinot Noir grape. Only the free-run must is extracted from the press. Alcoholic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tanks at an constant temperature of 16-18 °C. The base wine rests in vats until the spring following the harvest. The wine is then bottled for the secondary fermentation where the wine then rests with its lees for 84 months before disgorgement.

Italian sparkling wine is not all about Prosecco, as leading Franciacorta producer Ferghettina has proved time and time again.

Ferghettina is a family winery – established in 1991 by Roberto Gatti, and run with his wife Andreina, and their children Laura and Matteo. Starting with just 3-4ha of vineyard and a small production of Franciacorta Brut, Ferghettina has now grown to become one of the finest Franciacorta wineries.

Situated in the southern half of Lombardy – on the edge of the town of Adro, just south of Lake Iseo – the majority of plantings are Chardonnay (approx. 70%) along with Pinot Noir (and just 4ha Pinot Blanc for their still wines). They now have 200ha of vineyard across 11 different villages, mostly at 250-300m altitude. Each vineyard confers a unique character on the resulting base wine, giving Roberto a broad spectrum of styles to blend for each cuveé. It is this skilful blending, meticulous attention to detail and long bottle maturation that give Ferghettina’s wines great finesse and individuality.

Ferghettina are now in the process of organic conversion.

Matteo designed the eye-catching, square-based bottle used for Milledi and Rosé Brut. First used for the 2007 vintage (released in 2011) – the triangular, flattened sides provide a surface area around two and a half times greater than that of a standard bottle, giving more lees to wine contact and therefore greater complexity.