BOLLICINE

Welcome to the right place to discover FRANCIACORTA - a non conventional sparkling wine with the guaranteed quality of Made in Italy!

We are an independent, boutique importer located in New Zealand. Our mission? Transport you to Italy by letting you experience the true flavours of its vinos.

That is why we bring Franciacorta wines in down under - with a production of merely 17 millions bottles, this is without doubt the most prestigious Traditional Method sparkling wine of Italy.

Never heard of it? Not a problem! This is your chance to dive into a selected range of the best drops!

Phone

+64 (0) 22 429 6895

Location

Auckland

Hours

M-Su 8a–10p

Franciacorta the Region lies in the heart of Lombardy (central northern Italy). It is approximately halfway between Milan's runways and Juliet's balcony in Verona, and runs along the border of Lake Iseo: a narrow, crystalline lake hugged by wooded mountains and ancient hamlets.

Its rough 200 square kilometers include 19 municipalities. Gentle rolling hills, the mighty Oglio river and right at the foot of the Rhaetian Alps: Franciacorta is nestled where glaciers retreated and formed a natural amphitheater over 10,000 years ago.

This area, formerly a rural escape for Milanese aristocrats and industrialists, has risen to popularity thanks to Mille Miglia, the yearly race of classic and vintage cars, and the recent The Floating Piers installation from Christo (pictured above).

Franciacorta the wine is the Italian sparkling wine by excellence: its cuvée are produced under strict regulations that allow the usage of Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Pinot Blanc only.

Franciacorta wines were promoted to DOCG status (the highest level of Italian wine classification) in 1995. Moreover, only other 2 Italian wines (Asti and Marsala) does not need, legally, any further terms to define themselves: that’s why we don’t say “Franciacorta sparking wine” but simply….Franciacorta!

Unlike more developed wine regions such as Piedmont and Tuscany, most of Franciacorta’s cantine are small to medium-sized and produce wine exclusively from estate-grown fruit. The production numbers are small: 7,000 acres and a mere 113 winemakers, which have been attracting enthusiastic reviews from all over the world.

Uncompromisingly unique! All our wines are imported directly from Italian producers, whom we know personally.

Here in New Zealand, we have partnered up with Glengarry’s to deliver your wines quickly and efficiently! By clicking the “Buy wines” buttons below, you will be redirected to our Shop on Glengarry’s secure website.

Majolini is one of the wineries that characteristically embodies the Franciacorta style: a transparent expression of the terroir and a religious respect for traditions.

The complexity of these wines, crafted by a joint venture with the Champagne maestro Jean-Pierre Valade, is enhanced by the location of the vineyards: the most northern municipality, at a higher altitude and with soils extremely rich in minerality.

Mirabella has grown a reputation for producing authentic Franciacorta while maximising the sustainability of its production environment. Located in a perfectly ventilated position (the central-oriental area of the region), Mirabella boasts some of the oldest wines in the region.

The presence of Pinot Blanc donates floral notes and a quintessential acidity, contributing to achieve balanced wines together with long ageing periods.

With a visionary winemaker, Quadra has become a local benchmark for its modern interpretations of the classics Franciacorta.

Unlike many other wineries, Quadra offers only Millesimati (Vintage wines): a tribute to the uniqueness of each vintage! Quadra in the glass: clean, cutting through expressive textures and flavours.

WINES

MAJOLINI WINERY

Majolini's wine cellar was creating not just with the technical needs in mind. It was created to spread the passion of the owner and the winemakers for the Franciacorta territory: with a Master in Oenology, Simone Majolini leads the winemaking department - he collaborates closely with Jean Pierre Valade (Institute Oenologique de Champagne) and Cesare Ferrari. In the winery, it is possible to admire works of art in the building from many different artists (both emerging and established, Luciano Molinari to name one). The rooms are based on the old local farmstead-style layout, and have undergone massive renovations using natural materials like wood, local brick and stones excavated from the foundations.

An uttermost elegant 100% Pinot Noir (vinified in Blanc) with a rich body and pronounced sentors of peaches, pears, white flesh fruits, jasmine flower. The grapes, at the perfect stage of ripeness, are gently pressed very soon after picking and are fermented in steel vessels at a controlled temperature of around 18C. The base wine used is only Pinot Nero and is single-vintage but comes from different vineyards. The wine is then left to age with its own yeasts for at least 2 years.

A predominantly Chardonnay with a minor blend of Pinot Noir, and a staggering 20% of reserve wines added. Mature and complex, showcasing its 96 months on lees on its intense golden yellow colour, with fully developed wth tertiary aromas such as notes of exotic spices, almost curry like. It tastes like the nonchalance that a great personality acquires over the years.

MIRABELLA WINERY

Amongst the first producers to develop a Franciacorta Rosé, the style of its wines is immediately recognisable: natural, minimal yet elegant. Oenologist, Cellar Master, the person who coordinates all the stages that lead to the creation of the Mirabella wines is Alessandro Schiavi. Not only a technical expert but also a master of organisation: alongside his father Teresio (who founded the company) and his brother Alberto, Alessandro's role makes it possible to translate a hunch, an idea, from theory into practice.

A 100% Chardonnay that rolls unexpectedly and surprisingly on the palate. A blend of contrasting aromas where the sweetness of the flowers, honey and exotic fruit intermingle with savoury and stimulating hints.36 months on lees, its intense golden colour is enhanced by fragrant vanilla yeasty notes. Low gassing and sugary syrup enhance its smoothness, like SATIN, hence the name SATÈN. Pleasantly sharp and good persistence.

Only grapes from the oldest vineyard (+30 years), with a low yield for a higher quality are used to produce a Cuvée dedicated to Demetra, the goddess of abundance, image and emblem of the company. 70% Chardonnay - 20% Pinot Noir - 10% Pinot Blanc. No less than 55 months refinement on lees, for a bouquet of greater intensity and persistence. Golden colour, intense notes of freshly baked bread and yeast, toasted hazelnut, ripe yellow fruit and sweet citrus.

QUADRA WINERY

The winemaking revolves around obsessive cure of the vines, minimal intervention on the grapes and constant product innovation. This includes manual selection of the grapes, resulting in lower sulphites level; the wines are clarified thanks to the laws of physics, avoiding usage of chemicals or animal based products. Moreover, the premium range is produced with no usage of liqueur after disgorgement (Zero Dosage or Brut Nature). Quadra in the glass: clean, cutting through expressive textures and flavours!

The most representative cuvée from Quadra: it collects all the finest selections of each vintage! 72% Chardonnay - 13% Pinot Blanc - 15% Pinot Noir blend, firstly fermentated 90% stainless steel tanks and 10% in barrique, the cuvée is then aged 31 months on lees. Intense suggestions of bread crust and toasted hints.

The most representative cuvée from Quadra: it collects all the finest selections of each vintage! 72% Chardonnay - 13% Pinot Blanc - 15% Pinot Noir blend, firstly fermentated 90% stainless steel tanks and 10% in barrique, the cuvée is then aged 31 months on lees. Intense suggestions of bread crust and toasted hints.

Contact Us

Get in touch for more info - or for a personalised offerings!

season packages

a TRIO OF DELISH WINES

A Champagne-styled Sparkling wine from Italy is paired up with an elegant Pinot Gris from New Zealand and a fresh Kiwi Rosé!

If Rosé is not up your alley, you can easily swap this for a mighty Red!

GO FULL BOX OF 6!

This will have you all stocked up! Two Champagne-styled sparkling wines by default, and then the chance to customise the remaining 4 wines with your own mix of Whites, Red and Rosé.

Up to you how many of each!