The history of the Berlucchi company is so closely connected to that of Franciacorta DOCG as to make it one of the most interesting and prestigious wineries in the area.

Guido Berlucchi's first attempts to create a sparkling wine date back to 1961. This happened also thanks to the advice of the oenologist Franco Ziliani, who suggested producing a sparkling wine with the Classic Method, taking up the French technique.

In addition to the intuition and knowledge of French sparkling wines, the right combination of climatic factors and skilful interventions in the vineyard and cellar have also allowed Berlucchi to present his Classic Method Franciacortas as distinctive and unique products.

Berlucchi's production tradition continues unabated today with the direct descendants of Guido Berlucchi, who still continue to present the world with a unique and expressive Franciacorta.

Since 2016, Berlucchi has chosen to follow the path of environmental sustainability , taking care of quality before quantity. Berlucchi supports this production choice with the classification of the vineyards and the mapping of the land to supply the vineyard with dedicated and targeted care.

What kind of wine is Berlucchi?

Franciacorta Berlucchi is a sparkling wine refermented in the bottle with the Classic Method . Given the extreme versatility and skill with which it is produced, it can be indicated for casual occasions but also prove to be a perfect collector's wine.

Guido Berlucchi, under the advice of the oenologist Franco Ziliani, in 1961 created the progenitor of the current Franciacorta: the Pinot di Franciacorta Classic Method. This makes Franciacorta Berlucchi a real authority in terms of the Franciacorta Classic Method

The Classic Method refers to the traditional method which involves the second fermentation in the bottle and which takes the French Champenoise Method as a reference and example.

All the production of Franciacorta begins with a careful monitoring of the vineyards with very advanced systems that allow saving resources and optimizing quality. The hand harvest is another expression of care and is followed by transport in small crates and soft pressing of the bunches.

The fractionation of the musts allows the grapes to be divided up and assigned to steel vats or oak barriques after cold decantation. Having defined the cuvée on which all the flavor of Franciacorta will depend, the resulting wine is ready for a second fermentation.

After making the blend, the sparkling process begins.

The first step is the tirage : the liqueur de tirage is added to the cuvée, i.e. a mixture of yeasts, sugar and mineral nutrients for the yeasts and immediate bottling is carried out.

Each bottle is closed with a crown cap which contains a small container needed to collect the lees during the remuage phase.

The addition of the mixture allows the fermentation in the bottle to begin: from this fermentation the carbon dioxide produced remains trapped in the bottle allowing the development of the perlage.

During this phase, the yeasts undergo a process of autolysis: they slowly degrade, releasing molecules. To get the lees and the deposit moving, the bottles are periodically shaken with a bang.

The activity of the yeasts is closely linked to the refinement process which allows Berlucchi Franciacorta to be enriched with organoleptic qualities thanks to a rest in the cellar, away from light sources and at a controlled temperature.

After a minimum refinement period of eighteen months, Franciacorta is ready for the remuage stage. In the case of Berlucchi Riserva Palazzo Lana the aging period can reach ten years.

The remuage phase involves the periodic rotation of the bottles. In this way the extinct yeasts move towards the neck of the bottle: this operation, in addition to making the wine clear and free from lees, facilitates disgorgement.

Disgorgement is a delicate process, necessary to expel the lees that have deposited on the neck of the bottle. During this phase, the initial part of the bottle is immersed in a solution at -25°C for fifteen minutes. As soon as the deposit has frozen, the cap is removed and the frozen deposit is expelled.

At this point it is necessary to fill the bottle with the same sparkling wine or a blend of wine which will determine the relative sugar content.

The closure with the cork stopper makes the bottle ready to be labeled and distributed on the market.

What does Berlucchi '61 mean?

The Franciacorta Berlucchi '61 line is dedicated to the year of production of the first sparkling wine that 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.

The top sparkling wines such as Franciacorta Brut Satèn or Franciacorta Rosé Nature belong to the '61 line. and owes its origin to experimentation and strong roots in the production context.

What to combine with Berlucchi?

Berlucchi wines are perfect from aperitifs to desserts, with a preference for courses with delicate and sweet flavours . The typical hints of bread crust and yeast obtained during the long aging are perfectly integrated with the fruity and floral aromas. These hints are typical of classy wines, made to offer a measured and surprising taste, undoubtedly long-lasting.

In particular, Franciacorta Berlucchi lends itself perfectly to accompany dishes based on fish, molluscs and crustaceans, risottos, cheeses and cream-based desserts.

Why buy Berlucchi online?

The Berlucchi winery is a guarantee of the highest quality and, in particular, Franciacorta Berlucchi is a sparkling wine, an example of elegance and value.

By choosing any product from this historic cellar, you will certainly be able to embellish and enrich every dinner. But to decide which is the most suitable for the occasion, rely on your trusted sommelier: Vino.com!

Thanks to our advice you will be sure to surprise everyone: within our selection you will find the best sparkling wines , such as Berlucchi Cuvée Imperiale , Franciacorta Brut Satèn or Franciacorta Rosé Nature, to name a few.

Discover them all on Vino.com!