Berlucchi
Cuvee Imperiale 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
COLOR: straw-yellow with subtle greenish hues. BOUQUET: rich and lingering and complex with floral and fruit notes, and subtle fragrance of yeast and crusty bread. PALATE: clean-cut and full-bodied with appealing, emphatic fruity notes and fine acidity.
Cultivation
The harvest period occurs between mid-August and mid-September. The yield for these vineyards are 9500kg of grapes per hectare with 60% must yield (equivalent to 7600 bottles).
Vinification
Vinification is a gentle, gradual pressing of clusters with fractioning of the must. Alcoholic fermentation takes place in steel vats. Assemblage of the cuvee happens in the spring following harvest with 10% of the juice coming from reserve wines of previous vintages.
Aging
A second fermentation takes place in the bottles and matures for a minimum of 18 months on the lees followed by an additional 2 months after disgorgement.
APPELLATION
DOCG Franciacorta
VARIETAL
90% Chardonnay, 10% Pinot Nero
ABV
12.5%
PHILOSOPHY
Organic