Franciacorta DOCG 61 Nature 2012 - Berlucchi

Color: intense straw yellow with light copper shades. Abundant and creamy foam, with good persistence of a soft crown; subtle and sinuous perlage.

Smell: complex and elegant, characterized by a clear note of yellow-fleshed fruits and candied citrus fruits that are intertwined with aromas of brioche.

Taste: on the palate, the wine is characterized by structure and power supported by a vivid acidity, the final sapidity gives dynamism and gustatory tension.

Food matches: it is a vintage recommended for the whole meal; pleasantly accompanies important appetizers, fish main courses, white meats and medium-aged cheeses.

Berlucchi ’61 is now also Millesimato. Born from the grapes of the best owned vineyards, it requires at least 5 years of aging on its lees.

Very elegant, it is dedicated to the most attentive connoisseurs, able to appreciate the nuances of the pure taste of Franciacorta without adding dosage syrup, in the rigorous Nature style. Its image, distinct from the suggestions of the circle, a symbol of perfection, will make it the favorite of those who love refinement in all its forms.

GRAPES: Chardonnay (70%) and Pinot Noir (30%), coming from the vineyards owned by Arzelle, Rovere, San Carlo and Ragnoli; all with high plant density (10,000 plants / hectare).

HARVEST TIME: second decade of August 2012. YIELD: 9,000 kg of grapes per hectare, with a must yield of 28% equivalent to 3,360 bottles per hectare.

VINIFICATION: soft and progressive pressing of the bunches with fractionation of the musts; alcoholic fermentation in steel vats and aging of the best parcels in oak barriques, where they mature for 6 months in contact with the yeasts.

MATURATION: preparation of the cuvée in the first true after the harvest, exclusively with 100% vintage wines. Second fermentation in the bottle and subsequent aging on the lees for at least 5 years, followed by another 6 months after disgorgement.

DOSAGE: Zero Dosage.

Berlucchi

There are questions capable of changing the fate of people and places. "What if we made a sparkling wine in the French way?" it was one of those. In 1955 the young and volcanic winemaker Franco Ziliani addressed it to Guido Berlucchi, a country gentleman. Berlucchi was looking for a consultant capable of improving his Pinot del Castello and instead found the partner for an adventure of taste that would change the fate of Franciacorta. Ziliani was fascinated by the elegant figure of Berlucchi, by his elegant home - Palazzo Lana Berlucchi - and by the ancient underground cellar. His youthful dream was to produce a classic method in his native territory, Franciacorta, and dared to propose to Berlucchi the idea of ​​a "sparkling" wine in a territory accustomed to still nectars. Berlucchi accepted, and his friend Giorgio Lanciani joined the two pioneers. The challenge began and, after a few less fortunate years, in 1961 three thousand bottles of Pinot di Franciacorta were sealed. Uncorked the following year, they turn out to be excellent. Franciacorta was born! Franco Ziliani, elected to father of Franciacorta by local winemakers, led the company in the new Millennium, a territory of new and engaging challenges. At his side is the second generation, represented by his sons Cristina, Arturo and Paolo, respectively head of communication, production and commercial area of ​​the Berlucchi house. In an even more dynamic and competitive context than in the 1960s, his descendants show that they have inherited the pioneering vocation of the inventor of Franciacorta. They were responsible for the launch of the Berlucchi ’61 lines and Palazzo Lana Riserva, but above all the total renewal of the vineyard and cellar with the aim of total quality and sustainability. Today Guido Berlucchi is a family business strongly rooted in its territory and together with the standard bearer of Franciacorta and made in Italy outside national borders, as evidenced by its presence at important moments of celebration, one above all the toast for the Oscar for best foreign film in The Great Beauty.

Classic Method