Gourmet-Alcohol

Italy’s premier sparkling wine region has become a leader on the world stage. Nestled in the province of Brescia, in the Lombardy region of northern Italy, Franciacorta has a rich history dating back centuries, but its modern rise as a world-class wine region began in the 1960s. At that time, the region’s potential was apparent, but its path to greatness was yet to be fully paved. According to Silvano Brescianini, President of the Consorzio Franciacorta , the region’s journey toward excellence required a focused and forward-thinking approach. “We understood the potential, but we needed to build the foundation to achieve this,” Brescianini reflects. It was in 1997 that Franciacorta made a pivotal move by redefining its production regulations, lowering yields, extending aging periods and investing in new technologies. This transformation laid the foundation for Franciacorta’s commitment to quality, a commitment that has been unyielding over the past three decades. Today, Franciacorta

Mendocino, ‘California’s greenest AVA,’ accounts for one-third of the organically farmed vineyard acreage in the state. With increasing wine quality and more widespread availability, the region is setting a model for sustainable growth. In very few places can you find both the level of quality coupled with accessibility that you’ll discover here. In even fewer can you sip wine against the backdrop of a redwood forest whilst simultaneously breathing in fresh ocean air. Add in the level of commitment to preserving this singular place for future generations and there is no place quite like Mendocino , the wine region reputed as California’s greenest AVA. And facts are facts: 25% of Mendocino’s planted acreages are certified organic—increasingly regenerative organic—and are responsible for one-third of the organic acres in the entire state. “Those of us who live here know what a special place this is,” says Elizabeth Archer, communications manager at Bonterra Organic Estates and market