‘Franciacorta’, Italy’s answer to Champagne, is a high-quality option to its French counterpart. Sharing the same production method as Champagne, the traditional method, theflavorful sparkling wine is protected by the Italian DOCG status. Short for Controlled and Guaranteed Origin Designation, the quality and taste of Franciacorta are assured, standardized and regulated by Italian law. Only bottles that were produced using the traditional method from grapes grown within the confines of Franciacorta region, can be identified as ‘Franciacorta’.
Located in a picturesque hilly area south to Iseo Lake, Franciacorta region is just an hour and half drive from the bustling Milan Metropolitan. Born in a small idyllic town called Erbusco, Ca’ del Bosco is one of the most recognizable and distinguished wineries in this vineyard-dotted landscape. Over the past 60 years, Ca’ del Bosco listens to nature, vinifies top-notch Franciacorta sparkling wine, red wines and white wines, aiming to realize the concept of organic viticulture.
Among all the bottles from Ca’ del Bosco, the Annamaria Clementi Franciacorta from the Reserves is one of the most famous collections. Named after the mother of Ca’ del Bosco’s founder Maurizio Zanella, the collection is the outcome of Ca’ del Bosco’s tireless pursuit of excellence. With the success of this collection, the house further dedicated a vintage Franciacorta to celebrate the beautiful allure of oenology – Annamaria Clementi, 1980.
Vinified in 1980, Annamaria Clementi R.S. 1980 came from the idea of the experience winemaker André Dubois, who arrived from Champagne to Ca’ del Bosco as cellar master. He established the so-called “Metodo Ca’ del Bosco” and introduced some revolutionary changes for the house. He selected the best grapes from seven historic vineyards around the winery and created this Franciacorta destined for long ageing.
Mixing Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes in one oak vat, the bottle features the attributes from all three kinds of grapes. After 5 months of fermentation and 42 years of maturation, the vintage Annamaria Clementi R.S. 1980 Franciacorta is finally ready for connoisseurs to enjoy.
When it comes to a vintage wine, the year the grapes are harvested can play a huge role in the taste and quality. It fully reflects on Annamaria Clementi R.S. 80s. The climate in the Franciacorta Region in early 1980 was a bit too rainy and chilly for the grapes’ budding and flowering; luckily, the climate around harvest season was dry and warm – perfect for grape harvesting. The quality of the harvested grapes was excellent for wine making, and especially ideal for André Dubois’ vintage wine project. Although he has passed away 33 years ago, his vision, creation and legacy live on, refining into bottles after bottles of high-quality vintage Franciacorta.
The Annamaria Clementi R.S. 1980, therefore, is not merely a sparkling wine but a narrative in a bottle. It encapsulates the unpredictable yet fascinating journey of viticulture, where human expertise meets and respects the nature, cocreating exc elle nt produce. Each sip of Annamaria Clementi R.S. 1980 is a homage to the history and mastery it carries, and stands as a beacon of excellence in the world of luxurious wine.
