Berlucchi
'61 Extra Brut
Berlucchi’s excellence is born of curiosity and deep friendship. In 1955, Guido Berlucchi, a successful landowner in the Franciacorta region, approached the young enologist and consultant, Franco Ziliani, to improve his still wines. Then, Ziliani came to Berlucchi with the question: what if we were to make a sparkling wine as the French do? Berlucchi, who was eager to first improve the viability of his Pinot del Castello, offered his property and support to this pioneering experiment. After a number of unsatisfactory vintages, the two men’s partnership produced the first shining vintage of their classic method sparkling wine, the 1961 “Pinot di Franciacorta.” In 1967, Franciacorta became a recognized designation of origin for Italian wine, with Berlucchi leading the way.
Unencumbered by generations of expectation and tradition, Berlucchi succeeded at crafting an elevated sparkling wine, tailored to Italian standards of excellence. They will undoubtedly continue to brighten the palates and parties of bubbly lovers well beyond the region of Franciacorta.
Awarded Gambero Rosso Winery of the Year 2022.
Tasting Notes
Extra Brut '61 is a tribute to the birth of Franciacorta in 1961—the year Berlucchi produced the first of this classic method sparkling wine. This fun and lively sparkler offers citrus fruit and a crisp, clean finish.
Cultivation
The harvest period is from the middle ten days of August to the first ten days of September. Average yield of 9000kg of grapes per hectare with 55% must yield (equivalent to 6600 bottles per hectare).
Vinification
Vinification is a gentle, gradual pressing of clusters with fractioning of the must. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in steel vats. The cuvee is assembled in the spring following harvest and undergoes a second fermentation in the bottles with a minimum maturation of 24 months followed by an additional 2 months after disgorgement.
Aging
There is a minimum maturation of 24 months on the lees followed by an additional 2 months after disgorgement.
Press
N.V.:
91 points - Decanter
91 points - Antonio Galloni
90 points - Robert Parker
90 points - Wine Spectator
90 points - James Suckling
90 points - Wine Enthusiast
APPELLATION
DOCG Franciacorta
VARIETAL
85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Nero
ABV
12.5%
PHILOSOPHY
Organic