Yesterday was a gloriously sunny fall day. One of those echos of summer that puts you in a celebratory mood. And, happily for me, I was headed to lunch with the charming Giacomo Marzotto, a member of the wine powerhouse Marzotto family, in town to sing the praises of their Franciacorta estate. Ca\u2019 del Bosco is one of the most renowned producers of Franciacorta sparkling wine. Over a lineup of both sparkling and still bottlings, Giacomo offered insight into the philosophy that has made Ca\u2019 del Bosco a benchmark estate in Italy.<\/p>\n
Franciacorta in Context<\/h2>\n
Franciacorta is a relatively young appellation, officially recognized in 1967 and elevated to DOCG status in 1995. In just a few decades, this Lombardy region has grown into Italy\u2019s premier source of traditional-method sparkling wine, often compared to Champagne. With just under 3,000 hectares under vine and some 200 producers, Franciacorta remains small in scale but ambitious in quality. Chardonnay dominates plantings, with Pinot Noir and Pinot Bianco playing important supporting roles.<\/p>\n
The style is distinctive. Where Champagne often emphasizes taut acidity and racy bubbles, Franciacorta wines lean into their vinous quality, showing rounded mid-palates, creamy, rounded mousse, and understated aromatics. Minimum lees ageing is already generous\u201418 months for multi-vintage wines and 30 months for vintage releases\u2014but many producers, including Ca\u2019 del Bosco, extend this far beyond the requirements.<\/p>\n
Franciacorta also has a still wine counterpart. Under the Curtefranca DOC<\/a>, Bordeaux varieties such as Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, and Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re are crafted into supple, structured red wines. Though the appellation is separate from Franciacorta, the link is strong: these reds grow at the same latitude as Bordeaux and reflect the same focus on finesse and longevity.<\/p>\n Experimentation is part of the region\u2019s future. Erbamat<\/a>, an indigenous white grape first authorized in 2017, ripens three weeks later than Chardonnay and retains very high acidity. For now, only a few hectares exist, but the variety is viewed as a promising ally in the face of climate change.<\/p>\n Founded in the late 1960s by Maurizio Zanella, Ca\u2019 del Bosco quickly established itself as a pioneer of Franciacorta<\/a>. Today, the estate farms 300 hectares of organically certified vines, though the certification is not printed on the labels.<\/p>\n The winery is renowned for meticulous attention to detail. Grapes undergo the so-called \u201cberry spa,\u201d a process of chilled water baths and purified air drying before pressing. Must and wine are transferred by gravity rather than pumps, limiting oxidation and minimizing sulphur additions. Fermentations are started with a mix of indigenous and selected yeasts, built through pied de cuve<\/a>. Ageing times on lees consistently exceed appellation minimums: 24 months for the multi-vintage Cuv\u00e9e Prestige, and up to nine years for the prestige cuv\u00e9e Annamaria Clementi. For more than six years, the estate has eliminated cane sugar entirely, using only concentrated organic grape must for tirage and dosage.<\/p>\n The goal is purity and precision, ensuring that everything in the wine comes from the grape itself. Even terminology reflects this philosophy. Since 2007, Ca\u2019 del Bosco has avoided the phrase \u201cnon-vintage,\u201d preferring instead \u201cmulti-vintage\u201d and labeling each release with an Edizione number, emphasizing its identity as an annually crafted expression.<\/p>\n 80% Chardonnay, 19% Pinot Noir, 1% Pinot Bianco. Aged 25 months on lees. Where to Buy:<\/strong>\u00a0SAQ<\/a>\u00a0($48.00), agent:\u00a0Montalvin<\/a><\/p>\n 65% Chardonnay, 22% Pinot Noir, 13% Pinot Bianco. Aged 48 months on lees. Where to Buy:<\/strong>\u00a0SA<\/a>Q<\/a>\u00a0($89.00), agent:\u00a0Montalvin<\/a><\/p>\n 85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Bianco. Four years on lees. Where to Buy:<\/strong>\u00a0SA<\/a>Q<\/a>\u00a0($82.25), agent:\u00a0Montalvin<\/a><\/p>\n 55% Chardonnay, 20% Pinot Noir, 25% Pinot Bianco. Nine years on lees. Where to Buy:<\/strong>\u00a0SA<\/a>Q<\/a>\u00a0($150.00), agent:\u00a0Montalvin<\/a><\/p>\n 38% Merlot, 33% Cabernet Sauvignon, 22% Cabernet Franc, 7% Carm\u00e9n\u00e8re. Where to Buy:<\/strong>\u00a0SA<\/a>Q<\/a>\u00a0($37.25), agent:\u00a0Montalvin<\/a><\/p>\n The estate\u2019s flagship red is both powerful and refined. Intense aromas of blue fruit, cassis, graphite, tobacco, and violet lead into a concentrated palate with fine chalky tannins and ample freshness. Already approachable, but with medium-term ageing potential.<\/p>\n Where to Buy:<\/strong>\u00a0SA<\/a>Q<\/a>\u00a0($92.75), agent:\u00a0Montalvin<\/a><\/p>\n From the approachable Cuv\u00e9e Prestige Edizione 47 to the profound Annamaria Clementi 2016, the Ca\u2019 del Bosco lineup reflects a philosophy of innovation and uncompromising quality. Every detail, from the berry spa to the use of only grape-derived dosage, underscores the estate\u2019s pursuit of purity.<\/p>\n Franciacorta may still be among the lesser known terroirs for top-tier sparkling, but wines like these demonstrate the region\u2019s unique personality. With their vinous structure, refined bubbles, and remarkable longevity, Ca\u2019 del Bosco\u2019s sparkling wines prove that this small corner of Lombardy deserves a place among the world\u2019s great sparkling wine regions.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Yesterday was a gloriously sunny fall day. One of those echos of summer that puts you in a celebratory mood. And, happily for me, I was headed to lunch with the charming Giacomo Marzotto, a member of the wine powerhouse Marzotto family, in town to sing the praises of their Franciacorta estate. Ca\u2019 del Bosco […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":7040661,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[203058,203060,203059,203061,97917,203062,203063,203064,116297,151938,97595,203065,116303],"tags":[203066,203076,203068,203067,203069,20792,203070,203075,6675,1800,203071,203072,203073,203074,2958,9182,131961],"dealstore":[],"offerexpiration":[],"class_list":["post-7040658","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-annamaria-clementi","category-ca-del-bosco","category-ca039-del-bosco-cuvee-prestige","category-curtefranca","category-education","category-franciacorta","category-italian-sparkling-wine","category-lombardy-wine","category-master-of-wine","category-producers","category-reviews","category-saten-franciacorta","category-wine-education","tag-annamaria-clementi","tag-bosco","tag-ca-del-bosco","tag-ca-del-bosco-cuvee-prestige","tag-curtefranca","tag-del","tag-franciacorta","tag-franciacortas","tag-icon","tag-italian","tag-italian-sparkling-wine","tag-lombardy-wine","tag-master-of-wine","tag-saten-franciacorta","tag-sparkling","tag-wine","tag-wine-education"],"yoast_head":"\nThe Ca\u2019 del Bosco Approach<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackyblisson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/482244768_990653849922168_5053556181617999854_n-1-1024x819.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackyblisson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/481263908_990788783242008_6079924032128172874_n-1-1024x819.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackyblisson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/481767797_982594394061447_2637806137454749823_n-1024x1024.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\nThe Wines<\/h2>\n
![\"\"](\"https:\/\/jackyblisson.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/09\/Ca-del-Bosco-line-up-sept-2025-tasting-1024x576.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>\nCa\u2019del Bosco Franciacorta \u201cCuv\u00e9e Prestige\u201d, Edizione 47 \u2013<\/strong> 92pts. PW<\/strong><\/h3>\n
The 47\u1d57\u02b0 edition of Ca\u2019 del Bosco\u2019s flagship multi-vintage sparkling wine, based on the 2022 harvest, shows aromas of ginger biscuit, white flowers, and yellow plum. The palate is crisp and citrusy, with savoury undertones, a broad tangy mid-palate, and lively acidity. A superb value introduction to Franciacorta. <\/p>\nCa\u2019del Bosco Franciacorta \u201cVintage Collection\u201d Dosage Zero 2020 \u2013 94pts. LW<\/strong><\/h3>\n
This zero-dosage bottling highlights the natural richness of the fruit. The nose is earthy and savoury, with macerated quince and plum. Concentrated and mouthwatering on the palate, with creamy mousse, taut structure, and a long, citrus-lime finish. 94 points.<\/p>\nCa\u2019del Bosco Franciacorta \u201cVintage Collection\u201d Sat\u00e8n 2020 \u2013 95pts. LW<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Sat\u00e8n is Franciacorta\u2019s blanc de blancs style, made with reduced bottle pressure for a softer mousse. The 2020 vintage shows vibrant aromas of citrus, guava, chamomile, and lemon pastry. The palate is precise, saline, and tensile, bone-dry yet brimming with energy. Incredibly long and sleek. <\/p>\nCa\u2019del Bosco Franciacorta \u201cAnnamaria Clementi\u201d 2016, Extra Brut \u2013<\/strong> 97pts. LW<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Named for the mother of Maurizio Zanella, this prestige cuv\u00e9e is among Italy\u2019s most acclaimed sparkling wines. Fermented in third-use barrels, with malolactic conversion and gravity transfer, it opens with complex, layered notes of dried quince, biscuit, custard cream, ginger, and lemon peel. The palate is satiny and deeply concentrated, with noble citrus peel bitters and subtle mineral lift on the long finish. 97 points.<\/p>\nCa\u2019del Bosco \u201cCorte del Lupo\u201d Rosso 2022, Curtefranca DOC \u2013 92pts. PW<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Produced under the Curtefranca DOC, this supple red has an inviting floral and red-fruited nose, developing cassis, plum, and cedar with aeration. The palate is fresh and silky, with velvety tannins, moderate oak integration, and a long, balanced finish. A polished expression of Lombardy\u2019s Bordeaux heritage.<\/p>\nCa\u2019del Bosco Franciacorta \u201cMaurizio Zanella\u201d 2021, IGT Sebino \u2013 94pts. LW<\/h3>\n
Final Thoughts<\/h2>\n