Franciacorta Brut is a wine for the whole meal that offers different and varied pairing possibilities. In the article you will find our advice.

Franciacorta Brut: organoleptic qualities

In order to identify the best pairings for Franciacorta Brut it is essential to know its main organoleptic qualities.

Franciacorta Brut is the most widespread version of the D.O.P. Franciacorta. It is a sparkling wine defined by its small residual sugar. By law, a Brut sparkling wine has a sugar content of less than 12 g/l, or rather, between 7 g/l and 12 g/l (sparkling wines with residual sugar between 0 g/l and 6 g/l are called Extra Brut). It is a dry sparkling wine, based on Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir grapes, or grapes from the Pinot Bianco vine for a maximum of 50%. Franciacorta Brut is produced with the classic method with refermentation in the bottle.

It is straw yellow in color with golden reflections. It has a fine and persistent perlage, fragrant bouquet, with typical notes of refermentation in the bottle, hints of bread crust and yeast above all, accompanied by fruity, citrus and almond notes, typical of the original vines. The taste stands out for its flavor and freshness, within a firm structure, never exaggerated.

Before suggesting the best dishes to pair with this type of wine, we would like to point out that:

➡️ Franciacorta Brut is NOT a wine to be served with desserts.

Sweet wines are served with dessert. Not dry wines. Brut is a dry sparkling wine to drink before a meal and with first or second courses.

What are the best pairings with Franciacorta Brut?

Franciacorta Brut is very versatile in pairing.

Let's start with the aperitif, one of the ideal moments in which to serve a Franciacorta Brut. In our opinion, there is no aperitif or starter with which a Franciacorta Brut cannot be served. Its complex and varied bouquet, its lightness, liveliness and effervescence make it perfect with savory appetizers and classic Italian cured meats. Its lightness and elegance also suggest pairings with fish starters of all types or with vegetable-based appetizers.

Franciacorta Brut is also exceptional with fresh cheeses, cream cheeses and with the Parmigiano Reggiano served as an aperitif. The delicate notes of the cheese are excellent with the freshness and good acidity of this sparkling wine.

➡️ Franciacorta Brut is perfect to pair with any type of aperitif (cured meats, fish and vegetables).

Let's move on to the meal. Franciacorta Brut should be drunk with many first or second courses.

We recommend it with pasta dishes with sauces or condiments based on fish or vegetables, for example ravioli or agnolotti filled with vegetables or fish. It is also excellent with classic fish-based first courses.

Photo: Oskar Kadaksoo on Unsplash

Among the second courses, Franciacorta Brut pairs perfectly with shellfish or seafood. It is also excellent with fried fish, especially in the Franciacorta Rosé Brut version. In the summer, it is perfect with salads with fresh vegetables and cheeses or with summer cold dishes in general.

Franciacorta Brut can be paired with white meat dishes that are not too elaborate or tasty. For richer and more structured courses it is better to drink an Extra Brut version of Franciacorta.

➡️ Franciacorta Brut is perfect to pair with first courses of pasta filled with fish or vegetables, fish first courses, second courses with shellfish and seafood.

The versatility of a Franciacorta Brut is such that it can be drunk throughout the meal... excluding dessert, don't forget it!