What kind of wine is Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG 'Blànc' 2019 Magnum - Contadi Castaldi (gift box)?

The Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG 'Blànc' 2019 Magnum - Contadi Castaldi is a classic method sparkling wine of great balance and personality, produced with selected grapes from the hills of Franciacorta, in Lombardy. It is a fresh and dynamic wine, an authentic expression of a unique terroir, distinguished by the elegance and finesse of its bubbles. The Extra Brut version (with a very low residual sugar content) enhances its purity and freshness, making it perfect for those who love dry and mineral sparkling wines.

Vintage details

The 2019 vintage in Franciacorta was characterized by a rainy winter and a regular summer, with excellent temperature excursions between day and night. These conditions favored a balanced maturation of the grapes, allowing for wines of great aromaticity and structure, perfect for long-fermentation productions like this Contadi Castaldi Magnum.

Winemaking and aging

The Franciacorta 'Blànc' 2019 Magnum is produced using the classic method (also known as méthode champenoise), which involves secondary fermentation in the bottle. After an initial fermentation in steel at controlled temperature, the wine rests on its lees for about 30 months, developing complex aromas and extraordinary softness. The final disgorgement (i.e., the removal of exhausted yeasts) occurs only when the perfect harmony between freshness, structure, and the finesse of the perlage is achieved.

Tasting notes

The Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG 'Blànc' 2019 Magnum - Contadi Castaldi is a wine designed to surprise from the first glance, with a vivid and refined sensory profile.

Colour

Bright straw yellow with golden reflections. The bubbles are fine, persistent, and numerous, a distinctive sign of long and careful aging.

Nose

Elegant and complex, the nose releases aromas of ripe citrus, white flowers, green apple, and slight notes of bread crust. Mineral accents emerge along with a delicate hazelnut sensation, typical of long contact with the yeasts.

Taste

On the palate, it is fresh, dry, and vibrant. The balanced acidity gives tension and prolongs the sip, while the aromatic complexity envelops the mouth with fruity sensations and a clean, savory, and persistent finish.

What to pair with Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG 'Blànc' 2019 Magnum - Contadi Castaldi (gift box)

Versatile and refined, this Franciacorta Magnum is perfect as the star of an elegant aperitif or as an accompaniment throughout the meal. Ideal pairings enhance its freshness and the liveliness of its perlage:

• Seafood appetizers and shellfish
• Fish carpaccio or salmon tartare
• Fresh and goat cheeses
• Delicate first courses based on vegetables or fish
• Tempura and light fried dishes

Furthermore, the Magnum bottle ensures slower and more harmonious maturation, making the wine even softer and more inviting.

Storage and aging: how to store Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG 'Blànc' 2019 Magnum - Contadi Castaldi (gift box) wine

The Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCG 'Blànc' 2019 Magnum is a wine that expresses its vibrancy best in the first few years after disgorgement. It is recommended to consume it young, within 2-3 years, to fully appreciate its freshness and fragrance.

For proper storage, place the bottle horizontally in a cool, dark place with a constant temperature (around 12 °C), away from heat sources and vibrations. This way, the cork will maintain the right humidity, and the wine will retain all its aromatic and gustatory characteristics.