And of course the wines which are an a part item by Franciacorta is first an area, located between Lake Iseo itself: There are many DOC wines: Botticino, Capriano del and the city of , in the northern Italian region of Colle, Terre di Franciacorta, Garda Classico, Lugana, . It is also the name given to the sparkling BRESCIA AND FRANCIACORTA: Groppello, San Martino della Battaglia. But excellence is wines made by the classic method of a second fermenta- tion in bottle. In this most industrialized and prosperous THE AREA TO DISCOVER region of , it's a surprise to find Lombardy's sanc- tuary of sparkling wine, made from grapes grown on the rolling Alpine foothills in vineyards that share gentle slo- pes with villas, manors, castles, abbeys, farms and livable by Sonia Graupera towns. The northern Italian climate is happily tempered by the immense body of water in the basin of Lake Iseo and by hree years ago I spent an evening in Milano What made me feel attrac- the air currents descending from the neighboring Camo- drinking some good wines with some good ted by this area at the very nica Valley. Adding to the area's desirability are the morai- Tfriends. One of the bottles was a delicious red beginning were the Brescian nic hills, generated millions of years ago by the movement wine "Terre di Franciacorta", and I had no clue where this cuisine and Franciacorta of glaciers. Here is made of pebbles, silt and sand; it is a was. I was informed it's an area around Brescia and Lake wines which have many dif- light and perfectly drained soil, ideal for grape vines. It Iseo. I decided to spend in the future some days in this ferent facets: respectful of also means that each variety of grape and each vineyard of unknown area and discover these fascinating tastes: traditions, but able to renew the DOCG area have been harvested separately, after www.bresciatourism.com itself. The reason is simple: having been cultivated by organic methods. And that the I made it last month and I spent 5 days in Brescia and the fresh local ingredients are grapes have been picked rigorously by hand and then kept the surroundings. I stayed at the heart of the ancient excellent and are prepared whole in small containers until the time for crushing. The Brixia at the wonderful Albergo Orologio (www.alber- with careful attention to their new norms establish the longest and most exacting pro- goorologio.it) my headquarters. Every street abounds in specific nature. Lakes Garda, cess of elaboration in bottle of any of the world's classi- historical buildings, that were built in different ages but Iseo and Idro offer different fied sparkling wines. whose styles combine to create a harmonious whole. varieties of lake fish, prepa- How does it taste? Pale yellow colour, abundant froth, City of Art is a continuous discovery. Around the red in thousands of ways and very persistent and fine sparkle, fragrant and intense bou- Roman Temple stands the largest archaeological site in proposed with local wines. quet of white flowers, (hawthorn, lime blossom) and fruit northern Italy. The beautiful Santa Giulia Monastery hou- Cheese, meat and game (white peach, pineapple...). Full fresh and occasionally aci- ses the City Museum: unique in its design and location - a dishes are typical of moun- dulous flavour with a bitter fruit aftertaste. Just delicious! monastic complex of Lombard foundation - and with tain areas, characterised by Beside this, we find in the area of Franciacorta, as well display areas covering 14,000 m², offers a journey through several small farms. The non sparkling red or white wine called "Terre di Francia- Brescia's history, art and spirituality from prehistoric times plain offers delicious cheese, corta" predominantly cabernet franc and cabernet sauvi- to the present day: The Benedictine convent of San Salva- cured meats and home-made gnon mixed with small quantities of barbera, nebbiolo and tore - Santa Giulia was founded in 753 by the last Lombard soups and pasta. Every dish merlot. Bright red when young, it develops into a deeper king, Desiderius. The site is composed of parts from many is always accompanied by a garnet red with age. Aged in the bottle for one or two years different epochs. The complex was built on the ruins of yellow, steaming polenta or longer for the vintage. And the Terre di Franciacorta impressive Roman town houses and includes the Lombard (taragna, consa or pasticcia- white, predominantly chardonnay mixed with pinot blanc church of San Salvatore and its crypt, the Romanesque ta). The typical desserts bos- to produce a refreshingly delicate wine. Matured and aged Santa Maria in Solario, the Nuns' Choir, the sixteenth-cen- solà and persicata are simple in the bottle. I visited www.bersiserlini.it and www.ilmo- tury church of Santa Giulia and the monastery cloisters. and tasty. snel.com One of the surprises Santa Giulia has to offer is the Win- Among local products, it The strada del Franciacorta (Franciacorta Road), is a ged Victory, the city's symbol, which is a large bronze sta- is worth mentioning extra- fascinating wine tourism route begins just outside Bre- tue from Capitolium, www.museiarte.brescia.it (another virgin olive oil from Lake scia and continues to the shores of Lake Iseo, skirting official website is www.bresciamusei.com, which also has Garda, do not miss the one the wineyards over rolling hills studded with stately the English version). from Montecroce: homes, castles, ancient villages and monasteries.Indeed, And outside Brescia, crossing the Franciacorta wine www.frantoiomontecroce.it. this substantionally unique territory is ideal both for area I visited lake Iseo: It is in the north of the country in Cheese: Try Brescia's Robio- relaxing holidays to discover new tastes and of course the Val Camonica area, the lake is almost equally divided la lightly brushed with olive oil, or Salva and Silter, deli- reached with the Franciacorta DOCG spumante, whose for corporate meetings: http://www.stradadelfrancia- between the Provinces of Bergamo and Brescia. The lake cious eaten with honey or sweet mustards. Try the flavour quality and flavour have long been celebrated by experts all corta.it/ itself, is said to be one of the deepest in Europe. In the of some Taleggio or the worldwide famous Grana Pada- over the world. The three Brescian wine routes propose middle of the lake is the largest island of any no, Provolone Valpadana, Quartirolo and Gorgonzola or interesting excursions in the province to discover history, For further information: lake in southern Europe. It's is the pearl of the Lake Iseo the renowed Bagoss. You can find a magnificient cheese culture, art and flavours: Strada del Franciacorta, Strada Bresciatourism it is only possible to circulate by bike (which you can rent buffet for lunch or dinner at the Agriturismo Spia d'Italia: dei Vini e dei Sapori del Garda, Strada del Vino Colli dei Piazza del Vescovato, 3 - 25121 Brescia on the island) or by the communal bus: www.cooptur.it www.spiaditalia.it Longobardi. tel. +39-030-2400835 - fax +39-030-3774020