Whilst Champagne’s 8.2% decrease in volume brought it back into line with pre-pandemic levels, Italy’s Franciacorta has reported a 2023 total value increase of 2.8%, up 26.5% on 2019 figures. This is despite the fact that Franciacorta’s volume also decreased in 2023 at a rate of 3.4%. Champagne, by comparison, decreased in value by 1.5% over the year.
“2023 was a positive year for Franciacorta,” stated the Franciacorta Consortium in a press release.
“Despite reduced product availability in the winery, due to the poor yield of the 2019 and 2020 harvests, the year still closed with a sales volume of 19.5 million bottles and a significant increase in average shelf prices, up by 6.4% from €22.9 (2022) to €24.4 (2023).”
Franciacorta’s 19.5 million bottles sold equates to approximately 15% of the 298.7 million sold by Champagne.
The region has also increased its export ratio in 2023. The Italian domestic market was responsible for 87.9% of sales in 2023, a reduction from the 2022 figure of 92%.
“Exports accounted for the remaining 12.1%, with a positive variation rate of +1.5% compared to 2022.
“Of the main importing countries, Switzerland remains solidly in first place, followed by Japan, Germany, the United States, and Belgium.
“Compared to the pre-pandemic period, export growth performances have proven to be particularly interesting; sales volumes in Switzerland increased by 41.3% compared to 2019, in Belgium by 23.3% and in the United States by 17.4%.”
Franciacorta represented 77.7% of overall sales, followed by Franciacorta Satèn with 12.2% and Franciacorta Rosé with 10.1%.
Franciacorta Satèn, translating to silk, is produced at lower pressures and with a lower dosage added to the second fermentation, giving it a gentle and creamy disposition. Whereas only Chardonnay is permitted for this style, Franciacorta and Franciacorta Rosé also permit Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) and Pinot Bianco (Pinot Blanc).
All Franciacorta wines are produced using the traditional method, or ‘metodo classico,’ and often display autolytic characteristics comparable to other regions, such as Champagne, as a result.
