Description
What kind of wine it is
This Franciacorta Berlucchi is a sparkling wine with an extra brut dosage. It is created from a structured blend where Chardonnay is combined with Pinot Noir through the meticulous care of the Traditional Method. It displays a straw yellow colour with bright greenish highlights and a fine, continuous perlage. The aromatic profile immediately reveals notes of white fruit, citrus accents and subtle hints of bread crust. On the palate, it stands out for its remarkable freshness, resulting in a soft, perfectly balanced wine, finished with a clear citrusy aftertaste.
Where it comes from
The grapes come from Franciacorta, in the province of Brescia. The vineyards are carefully selected from various municipalities in the area, rooted in moraine soils rich in minerals. These soils and the favourable climate allow for regular ripening of the bunches, defining a taut and dynamic flavour profile. Harvesting is carried out by manual picking between mid-August and early September, following a strict yield per hectare to maintain the authentic viticultural expression of the region.
How it is produced
The process begins with a gentle and gradual pressing of the grapes, with musts separated and fermented in steel vats. In spring, the cuvée is assembled, incorporating a portion of reserve wines of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. The prise de mousse takes place through a second fermentation in the bottle, as required by the Traditional Method. The wine then undergoes a prolonged ageing on the lees for at least twenty-four months, enriching its aromatic complexity. After disgorgement, it rests for a further two months to perfect its balance.
History and Curiosities
The Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Extra Brut celebrates the historic meeting in 1961 between Guido Berlucchi and Franco Ziliani, true pioneers of the Traditional Method. The grapes, hand-harvested in the most renowned villages, create a refined cuvée enriched with 20% reserve wines and matured for 24 months on the lees. This artisanal care results in a sip of superb elegance, awarded the Gold Medal at the CSWWC 2023 and praised by leading wine critics. A glass that tells the story of the winery, harmoniously enhancing the profound vocation of the Lombardy terroir.
Tasting notes
Perlage
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
06 - 08 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
- Start up year: 1961
- Oenologist: Ferdinando dell'Aquila, Arturo Ziliani
- Bottles produced: 4.100.000
- Hectares: 130
| Name | Berlucchi '61 Franciacorta Extra Brut |
|---|---|
| Type | White extra brut |
| Denomination | Franciacorta DOCG |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 85% Chardonnay, 15% Pinot Nero |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Lombardy |
| Vendor | Berlucchi Guido |
| Story | History and Curiosities The Berlucchi ’61 Franciacorta Extra Brut celebrates the historic meeting in 1961 between Guido Berlucchi and Franco Ziliani, true pioneers of the Traditional Method. The grapes, hand-harvested in the most renowned villages, create a refined cuvée enriched with 20% reserve wines and matured for 24 months on the lees. This artisanal care results in a sip of superb elegance, awarded the Gold Medal at the CSWWC 2023 and praised by leading wine critics. A glass that tells the story of the winery, harmoniously enhancing the profound vocation of the Lombardy terroir. |
| Origin | Franciacorta (province of Brescia), Lombardy, Italy |
| Climate | Balanced climate that favours optimal ripening of the grapes |
| Soil composition | Suoli morenici ricchi di minerali |
| Yield per hectare | 9,000 kg/hectare |
| Harvest | From the second ten days of August to the first ten days of September |
| Fermentation | At least 24 months on the lees (plus at least 2 months after disgorgement) |
| Production technique | Traditional method (second fermentation in bottle) |
| Wine making | Gentle and gradual pressing of the grape bunches with separation of the musts; alcoholic fermentation in steel vats; preparation of the cuvée with the addition of 20% reserve wines; second fermentation in the bottle (Traditional Method) with ageing on the lees for at least 24 months, followed by at least 2 months in the bottle after disgorgement. |
| Aging | Preparation of the cuvée in the spring following the harvest, with the addition of 20% reserve wines skilfully divided between Chardonnay and Pinot Noir. Second fermentation in the bottle and subsequent ageing on its lees for at least 24 months, followed by a further two months after disgorgement. |
| Total acidity | 7.5 gr/L |
| PH | 3.12 |
| Residual sugar | 5.0 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |

