Berlucchi - Franciacorta '61' Blanc De Blancs Nature 2016 750ml

The natural refinement of a 100% Chardonnay vintage, with zero dosage, makes it suitable throughout a meal. It gives its best alongside complex aperitifs, seafood dishes, risottos, fish dishes, white meats and medium-aged cheeses.

GRAPES

Chardonnay (100%), grown in the central parcel of the estate Arzelle vineyard, planted to a high density of 10,000 vines/hectare.

YIELD

8,000 kg of grapes per hectare, with a yield in must of 30%, equivalent to 3,200 bottles per hectare.

VINIFICATION

The clusters are given a gradual, gentle pressing, yielding multi-quality fractions of must. Fermentation is in stainless steel, then the finest lots of wine mature 6 months sur lie in oak barrels.

MATURATION

The cuvée is assembled, in the spring following the harvest, with base wines 100% of the same growing year. The wine re-ferments and matures sur lie in the bottle for a minimum of 5 years, followed by a further 6 months after disgorging.

STYLE

Zero dosage.

SENSORY CHARACTERISTICS

Generous, creamy mousse with a delicate, supple bead and a lingering crown of pin-point bubbles. Intense straw yellow, with impressive herita- ge-gold highlights. Generous and deep, offering ripe apricot and melon, and candied apricot, then concluding on a rich note of black liquorice and pan brioche. An impressive structure bolsters crisp acidity, while a tangy finish creates a taut, dynamic conclusion that promises significant longevity.

PAIRINGS

This vintage-dated Millesimato is perfect throughout a meal: it heightens the flavours of elegant aperitif assortments, seafood dishes, risottos, main courses of fish, poultry and veal, and medium-aged cheeses.