There are, of course, the legendary French Champagne houses; many, predictably, stop there. And though Prosecco from across the border in Italy has become a palatable and affordable alternative, champagne it ain’t. But over the past 50 years the Italian wine industry has, in certain key pockets, been raising its game, refining its sparkling wines and elevating its growing, fermentation, and production in line with traditional French methods. The Franciacorta region is close to the Italian lakes near Brescia, not far from Italy’s fashion capital, Milan. andrea federici The Franciacorta region.