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Privacy policyItaly is one of those countries where Champagne has some serious local competition. You can find Champagne in restaurants, wine bars, hotels and cafés, but Italian sparkling wine is so diverse that it’s worth giving the local bottles some attention too.
And there’s no single Italian answer. Franciacorta, Trento DOC and Prosecco come from very different parts of the country and offer completely different styles of sparkling wine. That makes Italy particularly fun for Champagne lovers who want to compare what different regions do with bubbles.
If you like Champagne, Franciacorta is probably one of the first Italian names worth remembering. Made in Lombardy using the Metodo Classico, it is produced mainly from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc and has DOCG status. The region around Lake Iseo is also a proper wine destination, with vineyards, wineries and historic villages to explore.
Then there’s Trento DOC from Trentino. These are traditional-method sparkling wines made in the mountains, with Chardonnay playing an important role. The vineyards can reach high elevations, and the combination of mountain climate and limestone soils gives the wines a character quite different from both Champagne and Franciacorta.
And yes, there’s Prosecco. But if you’re going to try it, the hills around Conegliano and Valdobbiadene are where you can get closer to its home. The area has a 50-kilometre wine route connecting vineyards, wineries and villages.
Pretty much everywhere – but for very different reasons. Piedmont is the place to think about if Barolo and Barbaresco sound more exciting than bubbles. Tuscany brings Sangiovese and the wines of Chianti, while Sicily, Veneto, Lombardy, Trentino-Alto Adige and many other regions each have their own grapes, landscapes and food traditions. Italy’s wine regions are as varied as the country itself.
That’s also why Italy is such a good country to explore through wine. A trip can easily become a succession of very different experiences – Champagne in Milan, Franciacorta around Lake Iseo, Prosecco in the Veneto hills, then a completely different style of wine further south.
Don’t arrive in Italy thinking you have to choose between Champagne and Italian sparkling wine. Have both.
If you’re travelling through Lombardy, try a Franciacorta. In Trentino, look for Trento DOC. In the Veneto, explore the Prosecco hills rather than judging the whole category from one generic bottle. And if you come across an interesting local wine you’ve never heard of, ask for it – Italy is full of grape varieties and regional styles that rarely make it far beyond their home territory.
And while you’re travelling, check the Champagne Hunters map for places nearby, comment on the spots you visit or add your own Champagne finds. Your discovery might be exactly what someone else needs for their next Italian trip.
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Porto Cervo, Italy
Porto Cervo, Italy
Sorrento, Italy
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Add a spotYes, especially in restaurants, hotels, wine bars and places focused on celebrations or fine dining. But Italy has such a strong sparkling wine culture of its own that Champagne is only one part of the picture.
Start with Franciacorta or Trento DOC. Both are made using the traditional method, making them particularly interesting comparisons with Champagne. Franciacorta is produced in Lombardy, while Trento DOC comes from the mountain vineyards of Trentino.
Franciacorta is a DOCG sparkling wine from Lombardy, made using the traditional method. Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc are the main grapes. The region sits between Brescia and Lake Iseo and is well worth visiting if you want to combine wine tasting with a proper Italian getaway.
Trento DOC is a traditional-method sparkling wine from Trentino, produced in the Alpine surroundings of northern Italy. Chardonnay is particularly important, and the region’s mountain vineyards give these wines their own identity.
Absolutely – but location makes a difference. If you want to explore Prosecco at its source, head towards Conegliano and Valdobbiadene in Veneto. The hills there are covered with Glera vineyards, and the Prosecco Route connects wineries and villages across the area.
There are wine routes and vineyard areas across the country. Franciacorta, the Prosecco Hills, Piedmont, Tuscany and Trentino-Alto Adige are just a few starting points, depending on what you like to drink.
That depends entirely on your taste. Piedmont for Barolo and Barbaresco, Tuscany for Sangiovese and Chianti, Veneto for Prosecco and Amarone, Lombardy for Franciacorta, and Trentino for mountain wines and Trento DOC are a few useful names to start with.
This is Italy, so you have plenty of options. Franciacorta, for example, is served with everything from lake fish to richer meat dishes, while the Prosecco Hills have their own traditions around cured meats, mushrooms and local cheeses.
Very much so – especially if you’re interested in comparing Champagne with other traditional-method sparkling wines. You can drink Champagne in the cities while using the trip to discover Franciacorta, Trento DOC and other Italian bubbles in their home regions.
And if you find a Champagne spot that deserves a place on our map, add it to Champagne Hunters or leave a comment on an existing listing with your experience.
