QdE Brut is the entry-tier Chardonnay-led bottle from Mosnel, the Barboglio family cellar at Camignone (founded 1836) with one of the appellation's oldest continuous Pinot Bianco plots.
Tip: Pair the QdE with the EBB Erbamat for a side-by-side; Mosnel was one of the trial-planters of Erbamat in the early 2000s and the EBB bottling shows the heritage grape at high percentage.
The standard Brut from Ferghettina, the Roberto Gatti family cellar at Adro with 200 organic-farmed hectares spread across 11 of the appellation's 19 communes.
Tip: If the Milledì Satèn is in stock alongside the standard Brut, taste both side-by-side; the flat-bottomed bottle maximises lees contact and the Satèn shows the contrast in mousse texture.
The Extra Brut from Ricci Curbastro, the Capriolo cellar founded in 1885 and now run by Riccardo Ricci Curbastro with his sons Gualberto and Filippo. 32 organic-farmed hectares at Villa Evelina on the Capriolo slopes.
Tip: Combine the cellar tasting with the on-site Ricci Curbastro Agricultural Museum; the 19th and early 20th-century farming-tool collection is part of the visit.
The standard Brut from Vezzoli, the small family cellar on Via Costa Sopra at Erbusco. Five hectares of estate vineyards; the cellar began bottling Franciacorta in 1994 and won gold at CSWWC 2021 and Quattro Rose Camune 2022. Chardonnay-led with Pinot Nero, minimum 24 months on lees.
Tip: The Vezzoli cellar visit is small enough that the family often pours the flight personally; book directly through the cellar website.
The standard Brut from Le Marchesine at Passirano, the Biatta family cellar producing around 550,000 bottles of Franciacorta DOCG a year across 13 labels. Minimum 24 months on lees, Chardonnay-led blend.
Tip: Le Marchesine's Satèn is the broader category benchmark; the cellar door flight pairs it with the Pas Dosé for a structural contrast.
The standard Brut from Quadra at Cologne, the south-western entrance to the DOCG. Founded in 2002 by Ugo Ghezzi and managed by enologist Mario Falcetti. 20 hectares of vineyards; the Q Black Pas Dosé is the cellar's flagship and the standard Brut is the budget-tier entry point. Minimum 24 months on lees.
Tip: Pair a Quadra visit with a hike up Monte Orfano; the cellar sits at the trailhead and the trail offers a vista across the DOCG.
The standard Brut from La Montina, the Bozza brothers cellar at Monticelli Brusati with the 17th-century residence (built 1620 by Benedetto Montini, an ancestor of Pope Paul VI). 70-hectare estate, 8,000 square metres of underground cellars and around 450,000 bottles a year. Minimum 24 months on lees, Chardonnay-led blend.
Tip: Visit during the October Festa dell'Uva weekend; the Brut and the Baiana Pas Dosé are poured side-by-side at the open-cellar tasting.