A territory with a high vocation for sparkling wine production, such as Franciacorta, truly becomes a qualitative reality, and therefore a point of reference internationally for this type, when during tastings, it is not just the names of the “usual suspects” that surprise, but the lesser-known or less renowned wineries present references of truly surprising quality. This is the case with two wineries in particular that I have fallen head over heels for, and I must say it hasn’t happened in a long time; I’m talking about Corte Aura and Terre D’Aenòr.
A bit of History
First, let’s locate these two wineries in the Franciacorta region: Corte Aura is in Adro, while Terre D’Aenòr is in Provaglio d’Iseo. Before delving into the details of these two companies, it is worth recalling the ancient sparkling wine tradition of Franciacorta. In fact, one of the world’s first publications on the techniques of preparing naturally bottle-fermented wines and their effects on the human body, titled “Libellus de vino mordaci,” dates back to 1570 and is attributed to the Brescia physician Girolamo Conforti.
This doctor, whose studies preceded the insights of the illustrious monk Dom Perignon, highlighted the significant diffusion and widespread consumption of sparkling wines at that time, describing them as “mordaci,” meaning lively and sparkling. However, the origin of the name Franciacorta remains a mystery. The most accredited hypothesis is that it links the territory to the presence of Cluniac and Cistercian monasteries that arrived in Franciacorta from Cluny in the 11th century. These powerful monasteries, thanks to the reclamation and cultivation of the vast plots they administered in these areas, managed to obtain exemption from paying customs duties around 1100. They were therefore Francae Curtes, meaning courts free from taxes. The toponym “Franzacurta” was born from Francae Curtes, first appearing in the annals of the Municipality of Brescia as early as 1277.
After this brief but necessary historical digression, which better contextualizes Franciacorta’s vocation and territory, let’s return to our wineries.
Corte Aura and Federico Fossati
Founded in 2009 by Federico Fossati, Corte Aura became a reality thanks to his encounter with Pierangelo Bonomi, a technician with extensive experience in high-quality sparkling wine production.
This winery is dedicated exclusively to the production of long-lasting and highly expressive Franciacorta wines: therefore, it ensures that its cuvées remain on the lees for no less than 36 months, often exceeding 50 months, choosing to vintage some cuvées only in the best years. The symbol of Corte Aura is the turtle, precisely to recall the slowness of the long aging periods; for Federico Fossati and Pierangelo Bonomi, patience is a virtue that benefits the overall quality of their wines.
Tasted wines
Corte Aura Franciacorta Brut
This is Corte Aura’s entry-level sparkling wine, made from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. The base wines are vinified separately and then blended to create the cuvée. It ages in the bottle on the lees for about 30 months in cellars at a constant temperature of 12-15 °C. Sharp and elegant, if the morning shows the day…
Corte Aura Franciacorta Rosè
Made from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir. The base wines are vinified separately and then blended to create the cuvée. It ages in the bottle on the lees for about 36 months in cellars at a constant temperature of 12-15 °C. Once again, the overall elegance surprises, accompanied by the clarity of the fruit.
Corte Aura Franciacorta Blau Blanc de Noir 2016
Recently launched, this is the winery’s first experiment with pure Pinot Noir. Vinified in stainless steel, it rests on the lees for over 60 months. A sparkling wine of remarkable complexity and personality, yet the sip is light and the finish impressively persistent, a regal Franciacorta.
Corte Aura Franciacorta dosaggio zero “Raramè” 2012
A blend of 60% Chardonnay and 40% Pinot Noir intended to be a true “rarity”: only 5850 numbered bottles, available from late spring. A complex vintage like 2012, considered minor for still wines but, as often happens, excellent – if not outstanding – for the Metodo Classico, with over 90 months on the lees in horizontal bottles at a temperature between 12-15°C, followed by an additional 24 months “on tiptoe,” aiming to perfect its evolution. It’s a sparkling wine I would describe as golden, one of the best Franciacorta I’ve tasted over the years, with remarkable overall elegance, changing, incisive, and deep.
Terre D’Aenòr
Terre D’Aenòr was founded in 2018 by the Bianchi family, particularly by the very young owner Eleonora Bianchi, who skillfully combined quality and creativity in her project. The 46 hectares of vineyards, entirely owned, span seven municipalities and are divided into 33 distinct plots, a thoughtful choice that allows for personalized attention to each plant, maximizing the pedoclimatic specificities of each area to ensure optimal vine growth. The varietal selection includes Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc, Merlot, and Cabernet Sauvignon. Currently, the winery’s sparkling wine portfolio includes Brut, Extra Brut Millesimato, Rosé Extra Brut Millesimato, Pas Dosé Millesimato, Satèn, and Demi-sec, complemented by a still white “È Norì” from Chardonnay grapes and “Spadone,” a Bordeaux-style red.
The story of Terre D’Aenòr is inextricably linked to Eleonora Bianchi’s life and her courageous choices, deserving to be told in her own words:
“My journey is unusual, and I never thought I would work in the wine world. I always dreamed of becoming a lawyer, I loved studying law. I graduated in Brescia in April 2020 and had a list of major Milan law firms where I intended to send my resume. Then, something magical happened that reshuffled everything. Premise: my father, a hydraulic engineering entrepreneur, started investing in Franciacorta vineyards in 2003, and for years, he always sold the grapes. Towards the end of my degree, the long-held family dream of establishing our own winery in Franciacorta came to fruition. Truly exciting! Day by day, I found myself increasingly captivated by this emerging project, which gradually replaced courtroom visions in my mind.”
Eleonora Bianchi
“At first, it wasn’t easy; I would have liked to do both. In fact, I started part-time legal practice, spending half the day at the law firm and the other half with the marketing team as we developed the initial aspects of the new winery, such as the name and label designs. But then I realized I was at a crossroads, and after much reflection, I understood that this entrepreneurial challenge genuinely excited me. And so, here I am!” “This change of direction wasn’t easy, but I immediately felt a deep sense of belonging to a family passion for this world. Additionally, I harbored the desire to create something tangible and profoundly my own, something that could embody the essence of my territory and fully integrate my various passions and skills.”
Eleonora Bianchi
The next chapter in the company’s story will open with the inauguration, scheduled for 2025, of the new winery in the municipality of Provaglio D’Iseo and the market debut of the first reserves bearing the Terre D’Aenòr label.
Tasted wines
The winery has been organic since the first harvest. Its conversion of the vineyards began in 2014 and achieved certification with the 2018 harvest. The packaging is also distinctive and impactful, aiming to bridge the worlds of wine, art, and fashion. It draws inspiration from the artistic movements that marked the avant-garde and modern art of the mid-20th century, with a particular tribute to the works of the artist Dadamaino, pseudonym of Edoarda Emilia Maino, who actively contributed to the avant-garde art movements in Milan during the 1950s with her geometric-perceptive research.
Terre d’Aenòr Franciacorta Brut
Made from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, it remains on the lees for at least 22 months. Calling this an entry-level Franciacorta does it a disservice; it is silky and light on the palate.
Terre d’Aenòr Franciacorta Rosé Extra Brut Millesimato 2020
Made from 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, it remains on the lees for more than 30 months. It immediately stands out for its overall elegance, changing in the glass, a truly remarkable effort.
Terre d’Aenòr Franciacorta Demi Sec
Made from 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Noir, it remains on the lees for more than 30 months, with a residual sugar content of 40 g/L. A high-level Demi-sec with a truly intriguing savory note. We should all have a wine like this on our table, whether for an unusual aperitif: a finger food based on sushi or foie gras or for a dessert pairing with traditional leavened pastries like panettone and pandoro.
Well, Eleonora, now we eagerly await the reserves.