Berlucchi awarded “Best Winery of the year 2022”

xtraWinexperience continues in Lombardy on a journey to discover its unique passion for wine. 

When we talk about Lombardy wines we cannot ignore Franciacorta, a renowned DOC and DOCG area that has acquired international appeal and  that sees, at its very core, the winery Guido Berlucchi. The winery has had a major role in revolutionising the wine industry and putting Italian sparkling wines on the international map. 

The winery  was founded in 1961 by Franco Ziliani and Guido Berlucchi who had a very ambitious dream: to make a sparkling wine the way the French do. The winery brought the Methode Champanoise to Italy, refined it, perfectioned it and turned it into a signature method: the Metodo Classico.

Last year the winery celebrated its 60th anniversary and this important milestone was further rewarded with the receipt of the prestigious “Winery of the Year 2022” award by Gambero Rosso for its innovative and disruptive vision.

A rather sought after award, the “Winery of the Year Award 2022” recognised the Guido Berlucchi Winery, the important achievement to having launched the Italian Metodo Classico. 

In this article, we will introduce the Linea ‘61 Nature, one of the most characteristic of the Berlucchi long line of products.

Berlucchi ’61 Nature: Emblematic purity

The Linea Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Nature is made from the selection of the best grapes from the best vineyards owned by the Berlucchi family. The wine is left to rest and mature in bottles for an average of five years.

The last of a long list of successful lines of sparkling wines, Linea Nature sets the passage from a traditional to a more modern and disruptive look, with colour and taste that reveal the strong personality of these Franciacorta.

xtraWine will introduce three wines from this line:  Brut Nature, Nature Rosé and Nature Blanc de Blancs. Exclusive, elegant and ideal for wine connoisseurs with a sophisticated taste for sparkling wines. The wines of this prestigious line are refined for at least five years, in the rigorous Nature style. Very elegant, it is dedicated to the most attentive connoisseurs, able to appreciate the nuances of the pure taste of Franciacorta without the addition of dosage syrup.

Berlucchi ’61 Brut Nature

The Berlucchi ’61 Brut Nature comes from the grapes of the best vineyards of the property; it requires at least 5 years of refinement on its yeasts. Very elegant, it is dedicated to the most attentive connoisseurs, able to appreciate the nuances of the pure taste of Franciacorta without the addition of dosage syrup, in the rigorous Nature style. Its image, distinct from the suggestions of the circle, the symbol of perfection, will make it the favourite of those who love refinement in all its forms.The blend that characterises the Berlucchi ‘61 Brut Nature is obtained by  Chardonnay (70%) e Pinot Noir (30%).

What to expect from this wine? The wine presents an abundant and creamy foam, with good persistence of a slight crown. Overall, it has a fine and sinuous perlage. Colours of Intense straw yellow with slight copper nuances  reveal a Complex and elegant wine, characterised by a clear note of fruits and candied citrus fruits that intertwine with aromas of brioche bread.On the palate, the wine is characterised by structure and power supported by lively acidity, the final sapidity lending dynamism and tension to the palate.

How to pair it? Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Nature is a Millesimato that is recommended for the whole meal; it pleasantly accompanies important hors d’oeuvres, even freshly filled pasta, fish dishes, white meats and medium-aged cheeses.

Berlucchi ’61 Nature Rosè

The first of a long line of Rosé wines, the Berlucchi ‘61 Nature Rosè has a tradition as long as the Guido Berlucchi winery itself. One year after its founding, in fact, Berlucchi produced its first Rose becoming the stronghold of the winery and  bringing the production of Sparkling wines to a whole new level. The purity of this wine comes from Pinot Noir which is left to age without any addition of juices for at least five years.

What to expect from this wine? Abundant and creamy mousse, with good persistence of a soft crown this wine has an extremely fine and sinuous perlage. Fragrant and complex olfactory component, characterised by notes of cranberry intertwined with delicate hints of citrus. This Millesimato is characterized by a great balance among the softness, deriving from long ageing on the yeasts, the acidity and the minerality of the Pinot Noir vinified in white.

How to pair it? Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Nature Rosé is a Millesimato recommended for the whole meal, from salami appetizers with a strong taste, first courses, to tasty meats and cheeses, even seasonal ones.

Berlucchi ’61 Nature Blanc de Blancs

The last  pas dosé Millesimato from the Linea Nature.

This Franciacorta Millesimato is produced from 100% Chardonnay grapes from the Arzelle  vineyard, the best and sunniest Chardonnay parcel of land in the vineyard. 

What to expect from this wine? Abundant and creamy mousse, with good persistence of a soft crown this wine offers a fine and sinuous perlage.Its colour is of an intense straw yellow with slight hints of old gold. Ample and deep, it is characterised by notes of ripe plums, lime blossom and tertiary notes of caramelised hazelnuts. On the palate, it is characterized by vivid acidity and dynamism thanks to its excellent final flavor.

How to pait it? Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Blanc de Blancs Nature is a Millesimato recommended for the whole meal; it pleasantly accompanies elegant hors d’oeuvres, fish main courses, white meats and medium-aged cheeses.It is absolutely perfect as an aperitif, it is an ideal pairing with light risottos and fish dishes. Recommended with Sauris, Parma or San Daniele prosciutto and with matured cheeses.

Discover the Guido Berlucchi Nature now!