It is the method used for Champagne, Franciacorta, Trentodoc and for high-end productions that place elegance, complexity and ageing potential at the center.

What is the Metodo Classico?

The Metodo Classico involves a second fermentation directly in the bottle. One decision that changes everything: timing, costs, aromas, structure and persistence.

The process includes:

• Base wine: a selected cuvée, typically made from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Meunier or Pinot Blanc.
• Tirage: addition of yeasts and sugars to the bottle.
• Second fermentation in bottle: this is where the bubbles are created — natural, fine and delicate.
• Ageing on the lees: the yeasts remain in the bottle for a minimum of 18 months, often much longer, releasing complex aromas and depth.
• Remuage: gradual rotation and tilting of the bottles to collect the lees in the neck, clarifying the wine before disgorgement.
• Disgorgement (dégorgement): removal of the spent yeasts, often using the à la glace method.
• Dosage: addition of the liqueur d’expédition, the winery’s secret recipe, defining the final style (Brut, Extra Brut, Pas Dosé, etc.).

The result is a fine, persistent, creamy mousse accompanied by deep aromas of:

• bread crust
• yeast
• pastry
• hazelnut
• buttery and vanilla notes (depending on the grape variety)

The structure allows the sparkling wine to mature and evolve over time, like a great reserve wine.

Metodo Classico vs Charmat Method

To understand why the Metodo Classico is so special, it helps to compare it with the Charmat (or Martinotti) Method, used for example for Prosecco.

Charmat Method (Prosecco, Asti, etc.)

• Second fermentation in pressurized tanks (autoclaves).
• Faster production.
• Fresh, fruity aromas.
• Larger, less persistent bubbles.

Metodo Classico (Champagne, Franciacorta, etc.)

• Second fermentation in bottle.
• Requires years of work.
• Greater complexity and structure.
• Extremely fine, creamy and persistent bubbles.
• Strong ageing potential.

In short: Charmat is immediacy; Metodo Classico is depth.

Ventiquattronodi: the Metodo Classico of the Lucchesi Hills

Within this context stands Ventiquattronodi, the sparkling wine by La Badiola, which has chosen the Metodo Classico to create a high-profile sparkling wine.

It is the only Metodo Classico produced in the Lucchesi Hills — a distinction that enhances the territory and places it in a higher quality tier.

Key Features

• 100% Chardonnay – an elegant and internationally recognized choice. – scelta elegante e internazionale.
• 36 months on the lees – extended ageing typical of premium sparkling wines.
• Color: bright straw yellow with golden reflections.
• Perlage: fine, dense and persistent.
• Aromas: vanilla, yeast, bread crust and fragrant notes.
• Taste: fresh, savory, mineral, with an elegant and persistent finish.
• Serving temperature: 8–10 °C.
• Food pairings: perfect for refined aperitifs, risottos, fish, delicate white meats and soft cheeses.

Why choose a Metodo Classico?

It means choosing:

• a slow, artisanal production process
• greater complexity
• more elegance on the palate
• finer bubbles
• real ageing potential

And in the case of Ventiquattronodi, it also means choosing a unique expression of the Lucchese territory — a small excellence waiting to be discovered.

L'articolo Metodo Classico: tradizione, tecnica e qualità proviene da La Badiola.

A wine can only be defined as vegan if:

• no adjuvants of animal origin are used
• agricultural and winery practices respect the cruelty-free philosophy
• there is a Vegan certification by recognized bodies (e.g. V-Label, VeganOK, etc)

How is a vegan wine produced?

Production and winemaking take place with sustainable alternative methods:

• Clarification: natural clays (bentonite), charcoal or proteins derived from peas are used
• Vineyard fertilization: only with plant compounds or natural techniques
• No use of animal ingredients in packaging (e.g. glues or beeswax on labels)

Warning: many organic or biodynamic wines are not vegan.

Why choose vegan wines?

Choosing a vegan wine means embracing a more conscious and respectful approach towards the environment, animals and one's health. It is a choice that reflects precise values and a growing attention to the origin and production methods of what we bring to the table.

• Ethical reasons: respect for animals at every stage of production
• Environmental sustainability: lower ecological impact than traditional production
• Quality and transparency: many vegan companies certify every production step

Vegan wines are not inferior in quality compared to traditional wines. They often come from small farms, like ours, attentive to artisanal quality, terroir and sustainability.

If you are looking for certified, Italian, artisanal and high quality vegan wines, visit our selection:

L'articolo Vini Vegan: cosa sono e come si producono proviene da La Badiola.

What is organic certification for wine grapes?

The organic certification of the European Union, regulated by Regulation (EU) 2018/848, defines a set of criteria that producers must respect to obtain and maintain the "organic" mark. When speaking of grapes for winemaking, this implies:

• cultivation without pesticides or synthetic chemical fertilizers
• crop rotations and agricultural techniques that promote soil fertility
• use of resistant varieties and natural methods for pest control
• protection of biodiversity and respect for natural cycles

Only farms that strictly comply with these criteria can obtain the ICEA bio certification, one of the most authoritative bodies in Italy.

Why choose a certified organic wine?

The certification of organic grapes has a direct impact not only on the environment, but also on the final quality of the wine. A wine made from certified organic grapes:

• reflects the authentic characteristics of the terroir, without artificial alterations
• it is healthier, thanks to the absence of chemical residues
• respect the sustainable supply chain and transparent, from the vineyard to the bottle

Organic wine: does it really change the taste?

Many wonder if an organic wine tastes different than a wine made by conventional methods. The answer is: yes, and for the better, but with nuances to know.

Organic wine tends to:

• express the territory from which it comes more directly, thanks to the absence of chemical correctives that mask its aromatic profile
• offer cleaner and more natural notes, with greater freshness and vitality, especially in young wines
• evolve in the bottle with greater authenticity, keeping the characteristics of the grapes intact

In general, taste can be less standardized, but more recognizable and identity. An organic wine is not just an ethical choice, but a sensory discovery that tells the story of the vineyard, the climate and the producer's work with more sincerity.

Organic oil

The choice of organic does not only concern the vineyards: in fact, ours extra virgin olive oil is also certified organic. The olives are grown in our olive groves without the use of pesticides or chemical fertilizers, harvested at the right level of ripeness and cold pressed within a few hours.

The result is an oil that:

• preserve all the typical aromas of Tuscan cultivars, with herbaceous notes and a natural balance between bitter and spicy
• it is rich in polyphenols, natural antioxidants that contribute to well-being
• respects biodiversity and soil life cycle

For us, organic oil is an extension of the same philosophy that guides wine production: care, authenticity and respect for nature.

Badiola: a concrete commitment to organic farming

The La Badiola agricultural company has chosen organic certification as an expression of ethical and responsible agriculture. Our vineyards follow organic agronomic practices recognized by ICEA and every year we subject our plots to the controls required by the European specifications to guarantee maximum transparency.

L'articolo L’importanza della certificazione biologica proviene da La Badiola.

The Origins of Italian Wine Classifications

Italy’s wine classification system officially began in 1963 with the introduction of Law no. 930, which established the Denominazione di Origine Controllata (DOC). The goal was to protect traditional Italian wines tied to specific geographic areas and time-honored production methods.

In 1992, with Law no. 164, the Indicazione Geografica Tipica (IGT) was introduced to recognize those producers who, while not fully adhering to DOC regulations, created high-quality wines representative of their territory.

What Does DOC Mean: Denominazione di Origine Controllata

La sigla DOC sta per Denominazione di Origine Controllata. Si tratta di un riconoscimento attribuito ai vini prodotti in una determinata zona geografica e secondo precisi disciplinari di produzione.

Caratteristiche principali della DOC:

• Specific controls on production
• Delimited geographic area
• Use of specific grape varieties
• Regulated winemaking techniques
• Chemical and organoleptic analyses

A DOC wine must follow a strict set of rules, defined by its regulation, which ensures the wine’s typicity and consistent quality.

What IGT Means: Indicazione Geografica Tipica

The acronym IGT stands for Indicazione Geografica Tipica. This level of certification is more flexible than DOC and was introduced to recognize quality wines tied to a specific geographical area, but with greater production freedom.

Main characteristics of DOC:

• Defined reference geographic area
• Greater freedom in grape varieties
• Fewer restrictions on production techniques
• Good traceability and connection to the territory

IGT wines allow producers to experiment with grape types and winemaking methods not allowed under the stricter DOC or DOCG guidelines.

Main Differences Between DOC and IGT

Let’s compare the two certifications directly:

Better DOC or IGT? It Depends on What You’re Looking For

The question “Is DOC or IGT better?” has no single answer. It depends on your preferences, the kind of wine you’re looking for, and the occasion.

When to Choose a DOC wine

Choose a DOC wine if:

• You want a product tied to local tradition
• You seek consistent quality standards
• You’re interested in the typicity of a specific territory

When to Choose an IGT wine

Choose an IGT wine if:

• You want to explore innovative or unconventional wines
• You prefer international varietals or unusual blends
• You’re looking for a good quality/price ratio

Many “Supertuscans”—the famous high-end Tuscan wines born from international blends—are classified as IGT because of their creative production approach.

In conclusion, both DOC and IGT wines represent two different expressions of Italian wine excellence. Denominazione di Origine Controllata focuses on tradition and strict territorial standards, while Indicazione Geografica Tipica offers more space for producers’ creativity.

How to Choose Between DOC and IGT

Here are some criteria to keep in mind:

• Occasion: for formal events or gifts, DOC is often the better choice
• Budget: IGT wines can offer pleasant surprises at more accessible prices
• Curiosity: if you love to experiment, IGT wines are perfect
• Tradition: if you want an authentic and historical flavor, choose DOC

Both designations offer excellent wines. The important thing is to be guided by your own taste.

L'articolo DOC o IGT: quali sono le differenze e quale scegliere proviene da La Badiola.