Sip, Sip, Hooray!

Discovering the perfect wine to match your favourite dishes is easy when you’re in Italy’s Franciacorta region, discovers Jayne Marsden

Nestled in a lush green garden surrounded by rolling hills and beautiful mountains in the distance, Le Quattro Terre hotel is an hour’s drive – but a world away – from the hustle and bustle of Milan.

With the elegance and stylish simplicity, the Italians make their own, the hotel’s very comfortable air-conditioned rooms make it the perfect base for a visit to the wine region of Franciacorta.

This area is lucky enough to have its own microclimate – storms seem to pass it by – and certainly, the blissful afternoon warmth was a welcome change from English drizzle as we set out for our first taste of Italian cuisine – lunch at Agriturismo Cornaleto. I chose a delicate bresaola salad with pears, Parmesan cheese, and balsamic glaze, followed by traditional veal with tuna sauce and fresh grilled vegetables, while sipping on the region’s light, sparkling Pas Dosé Castleveder.

The next course was risotto – imagine a favourite wine blended with the fluffiest risotto rice, and you’ll get the idea.