Vineyards overlooking Lake Iseo Alpine Sparklers Touring Franciacorta, a Summer Wine Destination Italy is endowed with a rich heritage of native grape varieties, nearly 600 by some estimates, which makes for a myriad of distinctive wines that are difficult if not impossible to replicate elsewhere in the world. These wines are currently in vogue with sommeliers looking to create esoteric wine lists, and with adventurous wine consumers keen for something new and different. But if you're interested in sparkling wines, it's worth making a trip to Franciacorta in Lombardy, where chardonnay and pinot noir rule in bottle-fermented sparkling wines. by Stephanie Johnson 20 WINE & SPIRITS AUGUST 2018