For many, Champagne is synonymous with sparkling wine and vice versa. While this region is undoubtedly the most renowned for producing fine bubbles, several other countries also excel in this area—Italy being one of the most significant. However, its presence in Argentina has historically been rather limited. That is why the recent arrival of two prestigious Italian sparkling wine brands in the country, representing two of Italy’s most important denominations—Franciacorta and Prosecco—is worth celebrating.
So, what better occasion to take a journey through the world of Italian bubbles and discover what to expect in the glass? “Italy plays a crucial role in the global wine market,” says Delvis Huck, sommelier at Mezcla Vinos del Mundo, the company that recently brought a Franciacorta from Azienda Agricola Cavalleri to Argentina. “In 2022, Italy exported 4.4 million hectoliters of sparkling wine, which accounted for approximately 20% of total exports of this category.”
To a great extent, the popularity of the Aperol Spritz has helped Prosecco establish a presence in Argentine bars and wine menus. “Prosecco is the key category driving the growth of Italian sparkling wine exports, with increasing demand in markets such as the UK, the US, and Germany,” Delvis adds.
The Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC) Prosecco encompasses the provinces of Friuli Venezia Giulia and Veneto, with the Glera grape as its primary variety. In most cases, the bubbles are produced using the Charmat method (or Martinotti, as it is known in Italy), where the secondary fermentation takes place in large, pressurized stainless steel tanks. The result is fresh, fruity wines that are best enjoyed young.
However, a higher-quality Prosecco category exists, consisting of the DOCG (Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita) Asolo and Conegliano Valdobbiadene. The latter is precisely the appellation found on Lamborghini’s Prosecco label, which was recently introduced in Argentina. “These wines are produced using the traditional method and come from Treviso,” explains Giani Agnelli, commercial director at Mediterránea, the company importing them. “It’s an elegant sparkling wine, distinctly different from both French Champagne and Italian Franciacorta.”
Franciacorta is Italy’s other major sparkling wine denomination. This DOCG originates from the province of Brescia, about 90 kilometers east of Milan. “In 1995, Franciacorta became the first Italian sparkling wine made with secondary fermentation in the bottle to receive DOCG status,” Huck notes. Franciacorta is produced from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Bianco grapes (with the local Erbamat variety also permitted) using the traditional method, which requires a minimum aging period on the lees of 18 months—three months longer than Champagne’s 15-month requirement.
The result is a fine-bubbled sparkling wine that combines fruit aromas with bakery and nutty notes, characteristic of the traditional method. The Cavalleri Blanc de Blancs that Mezcla has just introduced in Argentina is a 100% Chardonnay, aged for 24 months or more on the lees in the bottle.
“Franciacorta is a flagship of Italian wine production, full of personality and deeply tied to its terroir. Just like when you say Chianti or Barolo, saying Franciacorta immediately conveys its place of origin—it represents a unique territory and winemaking style,” says Italian chef Donato de Santis.
Franciacorta and Prosecco are Italy’s two most renowned sparkling wine appellations, but other sparkling wines also have unique appeal. “Each has distinct characteristics: Asti Spumante and Moscato d’Asti from Piemonte, known for their low alcohol content and noticeable sweetness made from Moscato grapes; and Emilia Romagna’s Lambrusco, red sparkling wines produced using the ancestral method,” sums up Mezcla’s sommelier.
