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Berlucchi

When Guido Berlucchi and Franco Ziliani founded their winery in the 1950's, no one in Italy would have believed that 50 years later the annual production of the company would count 5,000,000 bottles of sparkling wine. In fact, the production of metodo classico wines in Italy was completely unknown until the founders decided to challenge the supremacy of Champagne on the domestic and international markets. When Berlucchi released the first 3,000 bottles in 1961 it mentioned the region of Franciacorta on a label for the first time in history. The foundation for the present DOCG was laid.

At Berlucchi excellence starts at an affordable price. Therefore the bulk of the production consists of the basic Cuvee Imperiale Brut, further complemented by a Cuvee Imperiale Vintage, Cuvee Imperiale Max Rose, Cuvee Imperiale Pas Dose and the prestigious Franciacorta DOCG Brut Cuvee Storica. Apart from the roses all wines are blends of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero, sourced from different vineyards in the regions of Franciacorta, Oltrepo Pavese and Alto Adige. Processing the grapes in locally owned pressing houses guarantees optimal freshness and quality. After bottling the wine is aged on its lees for at least 24 months, longer than the required minimum of 15 months in Champagne.

With facilities and modern techniques readily available, Berlucchi has now returned to the roots in order to perfect the wines. Undertaking a massive renovation of the vineyards, all vines are replanted with various clones at a density of 8,000 to 10,000 vines per hectare ultimately leading to lower yields, greater concentration of flavour and higher overall complexity. Add Berlucchi's reliability of style and you'll deservedly place the Gambero Rosso's raving review on the Cuvee Imperiale Brut in its context:

"What surprised us most was the tasting of the basic sparkler Cuvee Imperiale Brut. It has a production run of about 3,500,000 bottles and shows fresh, zesty and packed with fruit, flaunting and extremely attractive, caressing sparkle. As they say in Reims, a winery should be judged on its basic Brut so our compliments go to Guido Berlucchi & C.!"

http://www.berlucchi.it/