Ca' del Bosco is famed for producing premium quality Franciacorta.
Ca' del Bosco is one of Franciacorta's leading wineries. Their entry level wines represent some of the best value but quality driven traditional method sparkling wines around. At the other end of the spectrum their top-tier cuvées are among the finest in Italy. Back in 1979 when Maurizio Zanella was deciding where to plant his vines he experienced the highs and lows of being one of the pioneers of the area. He had the choice of the best slopes and hillsides on which to plant, but such a statement is easy to say with almost forty years of hindsight. Ca' del Bosco have at their disposal the ability to blend multiple parcels. The key Chardonnay vineyards were planted an average of thirty years ago located in the municipalities of Erbusco, Cazzago San Martino, Iseo and Passirano. By contrast, the rosé can come from up to seventeen Pinot Nero vineyards planted an average of twenty-two years ago located in the municipalities of Erbusco, Adro and Passirano. Ca' del Bosco's selection of parcels is brought most sharply into focus through their decision to vinify each block separately. Blending takes place right at the end. Sparkling wine is obtained via the traditional method. To achieve the complexity required however, the must is fermented in small oak barrels to become the base wine. The entry level wines show impressive quality. They are blended using multiple vintages so as to achieve the same house style. The star of the the portfolio is the zero dosage Annamaria Clementi. A *riserva*, spending a staggering (on average) nine years on the lees before its release, comes in either a white or pink version. The white leads with 55% Chardonnay supported by 25% Pinot Bianco and 20% Pinot Nero, while the rose is exclusively Pinot Nero.
