Berlucchi
The history of the Berlucchi winery is so closely connected to that of Franciacorta that it is one of the most interesting and prestigious wineries in the area. Guido Berlucchi's first attempts to create a sparkling wine on the indications of Franco Ziliani date back to 1961. The intuition or the fascination for French sparkling wines would not have been enough if it had not also been the right combination of climatic factors and skilful interventions in the vineyard and cellar to allow Berlucchi to present its Franciacorta Metodo Classico as distinctive and unique. The Berlucchi production tradition continues today unabated with the direct descendants of Guido Berlucchi and they are entrusted with the task of continuing to present a unique and expressive Franciacorta to the world. With organic certification since 2016, Berlucchi has chosen to follow the path of environmental sustainability, taking care of quality before quantity. In addition to this production choice, Berlucchi combines the classification of the vineyards and the mapping of the land to supply the vineyard with dedicated and targeted care. Experimentation and strong roots in the production context between Lake Iseo and Val Camonica, have allowed Berlucchi to launch the '61 line with top sparkling wines such as Franciacorta Brut Satèn or Franciacorta Rosé Nature and to evoke the historic home of Palazzo Lana in the Franciacorta Riserva DOCG Palazzo Lana Brut Satèn.
Franciacorta Berlucchi
When we talk about Franciacorta Berlucchi we are confronted with a real authority in terms of Franciacorta Classic Method. Considering the extreme versatility and craftsmanship with which it is produced, Franciacorte Berlucchi can be indicated for casual occasions such as turning out to be the collector's wine. The whole production of Franciacorta begins with a careful monitoring of the vineyards with very advanced systems that allow the saving of resources and the optimization of quality. The harvest carried out by hand is another expression of care followed by transport in small boxes and the soft pressing of the bunches. The fractionation of the musts allows to divide the grapes and to assign them to steel vats or oak barrels after cold decanting. The resulting wine is ready for a second fermentation after the choice between 150 sparkling wine bases helps to define the cuvée on which all the flavor of Franciacorta will depend. After assembling the cuvée, a mixture of yeast and sugar is added to allow the second fermentation in the bottle to begin: from this fermentation the carbon dioxide produced remains trapped in the bottle allowing the development of the perlage. The yeast activity destined to run out over time is closely linked to a refinement process that allows Franciacorta Berlucchi to enrich itself with further organoleptic qualities thanks to a rest in the cellar, away from light sources and at a controlled temperature. With a minimum aging period of eighteen months, which in the case of Berlucchi Riserva Palazzo Lana reaches ten years, Franciacorta is ready for the further phase of remuage which allows, thanks to the progressive rotation of the bottle, to bring the extinct yeasts closer to the neck of the bottle and to facilitate disgorgement: this delicate process involves immersing the initial part of the bottle in a solution at 25 ° C below zero for fifteen minutes. The uncorking of the bottle then allows the subsequent elimination of this solidified body and anticipates the filling of the bottle with a blend of wine that will determine the relative sugar level. The closure with the cork makes the bottle ready for labeling and distribution on the market.
How is Berlucchi Rosé produced?
The Berlucchi Rosé, of which the Cuvée Imperiale Max and the Berlucchi '61 Rosé remain great examples, obtain the pink color thanks to the use of red grapes Pinot Nero, also responsible for a greater body than the Chardonnay and suitable for giving consistency to the final product.What are the characteristics of Franciacorta Berlucchi?
Franciacorta Berlucchi is a representative sparkling wine for elegance and value. The typical hints of bread crust and yeast obtained during the long aging are perfectly integrated with the fruity and floral aromas which, in an elegant and measured way, distinguish classy wines, authentically made to offer a measured and surprising taste, certainly long lasting duration.
What distinguishes Franciacorta Berlucchi '61?
The Franciacorta Berlucchi '61 line is dedicated to the year of production of the first sparkling wine which recalls the collaboration between the oenologist Franco Ziliani and Guido Berlucchi. 1961 was the first year in which, after less successful attempts, the first Berlucchi cuvée was born, destined to mark the history of Franciacorta in the years to come.