Say Franciacorta and you think of bubbles. Write Ca' del Bosco and you think of celebrations and toasts for special occasions. But not this time. Not when the wine is a Curtefranca DOC Bianco. The perfect example of a still white wine that embodies the same obsessive pursuit of quality and elegance that has made Ca' del Bosco famous worldwide. But let's proceed in order. We are still in that enchanting area between Lake Iseo and the Brescia hills, where Curtefranca DOC, once known as Terre di Franciacorta, is the appellation dedicated to still white and red wines. These wines benefit from the climate mitigated by the lake, which ensures gradual ripening, and from the morainic soils, rich in minerals and skeleton, which give the whites remarkable freshness and complexity. Corte del Lupo Bianco is a skilful blend that combines two of the most noble and suitable grapes in the world. Chardonnay plays the leading role, bringing structure, softness and characteristic hints of exotic fruit and honey. Completing the picture is Pinot Bianco, a grape variety that gives the wine an acidic backbone and vibrant minerality, essential for balance. In the cellar, the care taken is typical of Ca' del Bosco. The bunches are washed using an exclusive system called “hydromassage therapy” to clean the grapes thoroughly before pressing. Vinification is controlled and ageing is partial: part of the wine is left in steel tanks to preserve its freshness, while another portion is aged in small oak barrels, integrating body and complexity without the wood becoming intrusive. A meticulous process that results in a harmonious glass. Straw yellow in colour with golden reflections, it is rich and inviting on the nose. Aromas of white-fleshed fruits such as peach and apple stand out, accompanied by a delicate hint of citrus and a slight hint of vanilla and hazelnut due to the ageing in wood. Full, savoury and pleasantly fresh on the palate. This is not a “subtle” wine; it has body and good persistence, but its acidity and minerality keep it lively and elegant. Try it with baked or grilled fish, risotto or delicate white meats.