The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Lombardy

DOCStill huntingModerate

Curtefranca DOC

The still-wine DOC of Franciacorta, used by the sparkling houses for their non-fizzy bottlings. The whites are Chardonnay-based, often barrel-fermented, with ripe pear, hazelnut and a creamy texture. The reds are Bordeaux-style blends with a local twist, since much of the 'Cabernet Franc' here is actually Carmenère: expect blackcurrant, green pepper, graphite and moderate tannin. Ca' del Bosco and Bellavista make the most polished examples; they're interesting but rarely the reason anyone visits.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Curtefranca, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

Can you help me get one?

Bottles I'm chasing

ProducerWinePriceBuy
Ca' del Bosco
Curtefranca Bianco Corte del Lupo
Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco, part barrel-fermented; pear, hazelnut, creamy and fresh.
$25 to $32Wine-Searcher
Ca' del Bosco
Curtefranca Rosso Corte del Lupo
Cabernet Franc/Carmenère, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon blend; blackcurrant, green pepper, soft oak.
$25 to $32Wine-Searcher
Bellavista
Curtefranca Bianco Vigna Uccellanda
Single-vineyard barrel-fermented Chardonnay, the serious still white of the zone; baked apple, toast, long finish.
$45 to $60Wine-Searcher