Berlucchi

Berlucchi is a Franciacorta house based in Borgonato di Corte Franca, on the hills south of Lake Iseo in Lombardy. It is often cited as one of the producers that gave birth to modern Franciacorta: around 1961 Guido Berlucchi and the young oenologist Franco Ziliani released a sparkling wine made with the traditional method, which started the area's rise as Italy's leading Metodo Classico district.

The family-owned house continues to focus on bottle-fermented sparkling wines made mostly from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero, with long ageing on the lees in cellars below the historic estate. The style is clean, fresh and approachable, with fine bubbles and good drinkability.

WineTime carries two bottles from the '61 line: Franciacorta Satèn Brut DOCG, soft and creamy, and Franciacorta Rosé Brut DOCG, with red fruit notes.