Why Monte Orfano, what is Corte Fusia and who are Daniele & Gigi?

The area known as Franciacorta is a montage of lands, each imaginably able to bring forth wines that tote their distinct traits. Among this patchwork of lands of various altitudes and soil composition, the area of the southern border, Monte Orfano, the oldest part, is critical. Here, on the hills of Monte Orfano, you will find a high presence of limestone and coarse pebble soils, along with a higher temperature and chilling night winds. The combination of these sets the area apart from the rest of Franciacorta (mostly lowlands) and, concerning the other areas, gives this particular patch of land the ability to produce higher quality, more profound wines.

Many of the most important vineyards in the last decades were abandoned. Having a much higher management cost with terraced lands on the hillside, many of the 'names' retreated to the flatlands to take advantage of easier field management. This respectfully translates to grapes with fewer characteristics, born from soil that does not have the depth to bring out all that is Franciacorta. Corte Fusia puts a lot of effort into their lands, and with the pride and desire to revive two-century-old vineyards, they recovered them. They have patches of terraced vineyards on the hill at various heights. Pieces here and there. Theirs is a 100% hands-on job- outstanding commitment, longer hours, and more attention you can taste in the bottle. You get what you give.

Daniele Gentile and Gianluigi (Gigi) Nembrini have roots here since their birth in ‘82. Friends since childhood, less than 30 days separate them in age. They grew up with Monte Orfano behind them, not knowing their friendship would marry into a partnership. These young men envision heightening Franciacorta to a position comparable to the finest Sparkling wines. With studies and passion under their belts, they carved out a name, Corte Fusia. They have recovered time-forgotten vineyards, giving a bit of love and replanting when needed, all on the southern-facing hill of Monte Orfano. They grow classic grapes - Pinot Nero (Noir), Chardonnay, and Pinot Bianco- for their classic wines, obeying their dogma, which means maximum respect and less invasiveness. Their dogma is present from the fields to the winery, a family property they have given life to. These diligent young men make four wines - Franciacorta Brut, Franciacorta Satèn, Franciacorta Rosé, and Franciacorta Zero and, in the very best vintages, a 5th, Riserva—intelligent wines with a heart.

Who:
Daniele Gentile and Gianluigi (Gigi) Nembrini

Where:
Coccaglio, Bresia - Lombardy, Italy

Founded:
2010 on established vineyards

Orientation: South, southeast

Land:
7 hectares, 100 -400 meters above sea level

Average age of the vines:  35+ years

Soil: Conglomerate*

Training System: Guyot

Grapes:
Pinot Nero (Noir), Chardonnay + Pinot Bianco

Appellation:
Franciacorta DOCG

Viticulture: Organic

Training system:
Spurred cordon and guyot.

Harvest:
Hand-picked into small boxes (max 18 kg each)

Annual Production:
30,000 bottles produced in total

About the hill of Monte Orfano:
From a geological point of view, the terror is a "conglomerate": a clastic sedimentary rock made up of gravelly and pebbly elements of various sizes cemented together by finer sands of calcarenite matrix, red clay, and limestone. These characteristics translate into deep mineral notes, guaranteeing the future wine's unique characteristics: body and flavor, resulting in fuller and more structured wines.

ABOUT THE FRANCIACORTA DOCG

Region: Lombardia
History: Established as a DOC in 1967; became a DOCG in 1995
Vineyard Area: 2,902 ha / 7,168 acres (2019)
Production: 134,300 hl / 1,492,000 cases (2018)
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Pinot Nero
Style: Sparkling wine

• Spumante (WhSp, WhSpSw): Minimum 50% Chardonnay and/or Pinot Nero; maximum 50% Pinot Bianco; maximum 10% Erbamat

• Rosé/Rosato Spumante (RoSp, RoSpSw): Minimum 35% Pinot Nero; maximum 65% Chardonnay; maximum 50% Pinot Bianco; maximum 10% Erbamat

• Satèn Spumante (WhSp): Minimum 50% Chardonnay; maximum 50% Pinot Bianco

• Millesimato (Spumante, Rosé, Satèn)

• Riserva (Spumante, Rosé, Satèn)

IT’S THE LAW

Significant Production Rules

• Maximum vineyard elevation: 550 m (1,800 ft)

• Grapes must be hand harvested and whole-pressed, without destemming, except for Pinot Nero that is to be used in Rosé

• All wines must undergo a second fermentation in bottles (Metodo Classico), which cannot be started before February 1, V+1

• Rosé can be made by blending red and white wines after fermentation

• Satèn cannot exceed 5 atmospheres of pressure

• Minimum alcohol level: 11.5%

• Residual sugar: Spumante and Rosé can range from dosaggio zero (zero dosage) to demisec; Millesimato Spumante and Rosé can range from dosaggio zero to extra dry, and Riserva Spumante and Rosé from dosaggio zero to brut; all forms of Satèn can be only brut

• Aging: For Spumante, minimum 18 months on the lees (ERD approx. August 1, V+2); for Rosé and Satèn, minimum 24 months on the lees (ERD approx. February 1, V+3); for Millesimato, minimum 30 months on the lees (ERD approx. August 1, V+3); for Riserva, minimum 60 months on the lees (ERD approx. February 1, V+6)

Corte Fusia | Brut

Franciacorta Brut DOCG

“Only steel is used in the cellar to preserve all the aromas of the fruit. " For us, the expression of the territory within our Franciacortas is fundamental—says Daniele—to obtain it, we carry out a vinification. Let's also call it simple, but that does not add anything else that comes from the outside, such as using barriques or other winemaking practices. “

APPELLATION: Franciacorta Brut DOCG
GRAPE(S): Chardonnay 70%, Pinot Noir 20%, + Pinot Bianco 10%
YEAST: Selected Yeast

VINIFICATION: The clusters are gently pressed in a pneumatic press, and the first and second fractions are kept separate. After a 12-hour gravity settling at 13 ° C, the must is inoculated with cultured yeasts. The Cuvee is assembled in March, the liqueur of tirage added, the bottles capped, and the bottles are laid down for the prise de mousse.
MATURATION: Aging Fermentation in steel and second fermentation in the bottle for 18 months
TIRAGE: the spring following the harvest.

White stone-fruit and yellow spring-flower aromas align with a whiff of bread crust on this elegantly sparkling wine. Bright and linear, the tangy palate offers mature yellow apple, lemon drop and hazelnut.
RATING 90pts

-Wine Enthusiasts: KERIN O’KEEFE

BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 6
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC: 12.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: <1 grams/liter
PRODUCTION: 15,500 bottles
LONGEVITY: 3-5 years
BAR CODE:

Corte Fusia | Satèn

Franciacorta Satèn DOCG

“We try to have our own style, but one that knows how to adapt to the different vintages. And this is something that our customers appreciate in the long run; they learn to distinguish the influences of the climate in our wines ". - Daniele

APPELLATION: Franciacorta Satèn DOCG
GRAPE(S):  90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Blanc
YEAST: Selected
YIELD PER HECTARE: 95 quintals of grapes/hectare = 35 hectolitres/hectare.

VINIFICATION: The clusters are gently pressed in a pneumatic press, and the first and second fractions are kept separate. Twelve hours after gravity settles at 13 ° C, the must is inoculated with cultured yeasts. The wine follows fermented temperatures in stainless steel. The Cuvee is assembled in March, the liqueur of tirage added, the bottles capped, and the bottles are laid down for the prise de mousse.
MATURATION: the tiered-up bottles remain for a minimum of 30 months before riddling. The sediment is removed, and the wine is added as a dosage to the bottles.
TIRAGE: the spring following the harvest

BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 6
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC: 12.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: <1 grams/liter
PRODUCTION: 6,000 bottles
LONGEVITY: 3-5 years
BAR CODE:

Corte Fusia | Brut

Franciacorta Rosé DOCG

A Rosé with a strong personality,
elegant with pronounced fruitiness with an interpretation of
the Pinot Noir vinified Rosé.

APPELLATION: Franciacorta Rosé DOCG
VINEYARD LOCATION / EXPOSURE: From their estate vineyards in Cologne and Coccaglio.
SOIL: Fluvioglacial soils of medium fertility with the medium-deep gravel-pebble mixture.
GRAPE(S):  100% Pinot Noir
YIELDS PER HECTARE: 95 quintals of grapes/hectare = 55 hectolitres/hectare.
YEAST: Selected
HARVEST: Hand-picking into small boxes (max 18 kg each) in mid/late August.
VINIFICATION: After the crusher-de-stemmer, maceration on the skins for about 4 hours, after which the grapes are gently pressed in a pneumatic press, and the first and the second fractions are kept separate. After a 12-hour gravity settling at 13 ° C, the must is inoculated with cultured yeasts. The wine consequently ferments in stainless steel at controlled temperatures. The cuvée is assembled in March, the liqueur di tirage added to the bottles capped, and the bottles are laid down for the prize de mousse.
MATURATION: The tiered-up bottles remain for at least 24 months before riddling. The sediment is removed, and the exact wine dosage is added to the bottles.
TIRAGE: The spring following the harvest.

BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 6
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC: 12.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: <1 grams/liter
PRODUCTION: 2.000 bottles
LONGEVITY: 3-5 years
BAR CODE:

Corte Fusia | Zero

Franciacorta Zero DOCG (Vintage)

Golden Delicious, bread crust and hazelnut.

APPELLATION: Franciacorta Zero DOCG (Vintage)
VINEYARD LOCATION / EXPOSURE: From their estate vineyards in Cologne and Coccaglio.
SOIL: Fluvioglacial soils of medium fertility with the medium-deep gravel-pebble mixture.
GRAPE(S): 75% Chardonnay - 25% Pinot Noir
TRAINING SYSTEM: Spurred cordon and guyot.
YIELD PER HECTARE: 95 quintals of grapes/hectare = 32 hectolitres/hectare.
YEAST: Selected
VINIFICATION: The clusters are gently pressed in a pneumatic press, and the first and second fractions are kept separate. After a 12-hour gravity settling at 13 ° C, the must is inoculated with cultured yeasts. The wine consequently ferments in stainless steel at controlled temperatures. The cuvée is assembled in March, the liqueur di tirage is added, the bottles are capped, and the bottles are laid down for the prize de mousse.
MATURATION: the tiered-up bottles remain for at least 40 months before riddling. The sediment is removed, and the exact wine is added to the bottles as a dosage.
TIRAGE: In the spring following the harvest.

BOTTLE SIZE: 750 ml
PACK: 6
CLOSURE: Cork
ALC: 12.5%
RESIDUAL SUGAR: <1 grams/liter
PRODUCTION: 3,500 bottles
LONGEVITY: 10+ years
BAR CODE:

Via degli Orti, 2, 25030 Coccaglio BS, Italy

+39 328 847 1276

📷 credit: winestories.it