Editor's note: This article was originally published in May 2021 and has been updated with new info.
This year, the annual Franciacorta Festival goes digital and international with a series of web and social media events accessible to virtual attendees all around the world. Franciacorta is one of Italy's finest sparkling wines, made using the classic Champagne method in the area of the same name in Lombardy, around a one-hour drive from Milan.
A series of events scheduled for June 2021 will be offered on a range of digital and social media platforms designed to connect sector experts and wine lovers around the globe with all things Franciacorta.
The events kick off on Monday, June 7 with an English-language seminar for wine specialists that offers an overview of three of the region's specialties: Franciacorta Satèn, Rosé, and Dosaggio Zero. Every Monday and Wednesday starting on June 9, May Matta-Aliah, the U.S. Franciacorta ambassador, will be interviewing a range of Franciacorta producers live on Facebook and asking them about its history, biodiversity, and their wines.
Each Tuesday, Italian wine lovers can tune into Instagram live broadcasts with Nicola Bonera, previous winner of the Best Sommelier in Italy title, as he chats with prominent food experts about Franciacorta pairing ideas. On June 17, he will speak about the region's history while presenting the book Le origini del Franciacorta nel Rinascimento italiano (Franciacorta's Origins in the Italian Renaissance).
Notable English-language events include:
June 14 at 8:00 pm CET: Franciacorta Soils
This clubhouse session dedicated to the exploration and promotion of Franciacorta will be moderated by Stevie Kim, the managing director of Vinitaly, Italy's largest wine expo. Several wine professionals and educators will participate. On June 15, the session will be available for download from italianwinepodcast.com, ApplePodcast, SoundCloud, and XimalayaFM.
June 15 at 6:00 pm CET: Franciacorta Food Pairing
Stevie Kim will also moderate this clubhouse session dedicated to the Franciacorta wine pairings. Once again, the talk will feature a panel of wine professionals and educators. On June 16, the session will be available for download from italianwinepodcast.com, ApplePodcast, SoundCloud, and XimalayaFM.
June 24 at 6:00 pm CET: Winemakers Interview - Rosè.
U.S. Franciacorta ambassador May Matta-Aliah conducts a roundtable discussion with three producers regarding Franciacorta Rosè. It will stream on Zoom and Facebook live on the @franciacorta page.
June 22at 7:30 pm EST Consumer tasting with chef Silvia Baldini and May Matta-Aliah
This tasting seminar focuses on the Franciacorta Satèn typology paired with the dishes of chef Silvia Baldini. Participants cook along with the chef while learning about pairings and all of the nuances of the particular wine. This takes place on Zoom and participants must register in advance.
June 23 at 6:00 pm CET | Winemakers Interview - Dosaggio Zero/Zero Dosage
May Matta-Aliah will read this roundtable discussion with Franciacorta producers regarding Dosaggio Zero. It will stream on Zoom and Facebook live on the @franciacorta page.
June 28 at 6:00 pm CET Winemakers Interview - Reserves
May Matta-Aliah leads a round table discussion with three Franciacorta producers on the subject of Franciacorta Riserva and longevity. It will stream on Zoom and Facebook live on the @franciacorta page.
In addition, the festival will host events tailored to the American, German, and Japanese markets together with local sommeliers and Franciacorta ambassadors. The digital edition of the Franciacorta Festival will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity to find out more about the style, quality, and identity of this area's wines from the comfort of your own home in a program of events accessible all around the world.
Visit Franciacorta's official website for the full line-up of the event, which came about due to the popularity of specially dedicated festivals in international cities, such as London, New York, Munich, Tokyo, Zurich, and Edinburgh.