The Visionary Behind Franciacorta & Ca' del Bosco: Maurizio Zanella

In this episode of the Vint Podcast, hosts Billy Galanko and Brady Weller bring you an in-depth conversation with Maurizio Zanella, founder of Ca’ del Bosco and one of the key figures behind the establishment of Franciacorta as a DOCG in 1995. The episode kicks off with exciting news, including the announcement of a giveaway winner for a Coravin Sparkling System and a feature about the Vint Podcast in the Cos Chronicles. (Link: https://www.estournel.com/en/home/cos-chronicle/vint-the-podcast-that-makes-wine-accessible/)  Billy and Brady also discuss the rise of Alta Langa as an emerging sparkling wine region in Italy, contrasting it with the well-established Franciacorta, and highlight the cultural significance of these wines in the global market. Maurizio Zanella then takes center stage, sharing his fascinating journey from a young visionary in the 1970s to a pioneer of Italian wine’s renaissance. He recounts how he helped transform Franciacorta from an unknown region into a globally recognized name by advocating for strict production standards and rejecting its classification as a sparkling wine. Instead, he emphasizes Franciacorta as a wine of place, defined by its terroir and method rather than its bubbles. Zanella discusses the region’s unique regulations, including low yields, limited pressing, and extended maturation times, which set it apart from Champagne and other sparkling wine-producing regions.  The conversation touches on topics such as the role of indigenous grape varieties, innovations like zero-dosage styles, and the impact of climate change on viticulture. With reflections on his mentor Luigi Veronelli’s influence and insights into the future of Franciacorta, Maurizio offers listeners a masterclass in winemaking and regional development.  The Vint Podcast is presented by Coravin, the world"s leader in wine preservation systems. Listeners of the Vint Podcast can take 15% off their purchase on Coravin.com by using promo code VINT15 at checkout*. Members of the trade can access exclusive discounts at trade.Coravin.com. The Vint Podcast is a production of the Vint Marketplace, your source for the highest quality stock of fine wines and rare whiskies. Visit www.vintmarketplace.com. To learn more about Vint and the Vint Marketplace, visit us at https://vint.co or Vintmarketplace.com or email Brady Weller at brady@vint.co, or Billy Galanko at Billy@vintmarketplace.com. *Terms and Conditions Apply. Offer valid only on Coravin.com while supplies last. Pricing and discount are subject to change at any time. Coravin reserves the right to limit order quantities. No adjustments to prior purchases. Not valid for cash. Cheers! Past Guests Include: William Kelley, Peter Liem, Eric Asimov, Bobby Stuckey, Rajat "Raj" Parr, Erik Segelbaum, André Hueston Mack, Emily Saladino, Konstantin Baum, Landon Patterson, Heather Wibbels, Carlton "CJ" Fowler, Boris Guillome, Christopher Walkey, Danny Jassy, Kristy Wenz, Dan Petroski, Buster Scher, Andrew Nelson, Jane Anson, Tim Irwin, Matt Murphy, Allen Meadows, Altan Insights, Tim Gaiser, Vince Anter, Joel Peterson, Megan O"Connor, Adam Lapierre, Jason Haas, Ken Freeman, Lisa Perrotti-Brown,...