A delicately coloured 'onion skin' rose. The nose reveals hints of berries, fresh currants and toast, with more sweet berries and savoury flavours on the palate. A charming and pretty wine.

One of the emerging estates in Italy's booming sparkling wine sector. Roberto Gatti spent 20 years as cellarmaster and viticulturalist at Bellavista, one of the early pioneers of the Franciacorta region, before creating Ferghettina in 1990. A new winery and cellars, started in 2002, were completed in 2005 and sit in a magnificent location overlooking the beautiful Lake Iseo. Roberto is assisted by his daughter Laura, also an oenologist, shortly to be joined by his son Matteo. The Gatti's control production of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, using only half of the grapes available for their production of 300,000 bottles. Meticulous attention to detail, skillful blending and long bottle maturation give wines of great finesse and individuality. The 'Italy's answer to Champagne' tag is unavoidable but these wines are much more than that.

The Gatti family manage 120 hectares of vineyards in six localities within the DOC. Sunny rolling hills, at the foot of the Alps, ensure well ripened grapes.

The alcoholic fermentation is carried out in stainless steel tank at controlled temperature between 16 and 18 °C with selected yeasts. Tirage takes place in spring time of the following year. The wine is aged on lees for 36 months. Dosage is 4 grams/litre of sugar.

Delightful with shellfish, mozarella and vine-ripened tomato salads, or a range of dim sum.