Franciacorta | Spumante
Franciacorta is a still young Italian wine-growing region in Lombardy. It was not until the 1960s that the first professionally produced sparkling wines were produced. Since then, demand for this spumante, produced in the style of bottle fermentation, grew rapidly and brought a boom to the region. Since 1995, registered trademark of the Consortium for the Protection of Franciacorta and reserved for those winemakers who are members of the Consortium and comply with the strict production rules.
The production method of Franciacorta involves the use of noble grape varieties (white grapes: Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco and red grapes: Pinot Nero) and a slow second fermentation in the bottle. The grapes are immediately extracted under gentle pressure. The base wines are then fermented in the spring and are used to compose the cuvèe. This is a blend of different Franciacorta base wines (even from different vintages), selected after careful tasting to bring out very precise characteristics. The following addition of sugar and yeast (tirage) initiates the second fermentation in the bottle, which slowly leads to the transformation of sugar into carbonic acid (foaming) and to a rise in pressure of up to 5-6 atmospheres.
The bottles, closed with crown caps, are properly stored horizontally in the cellar, and in this position they remain for at least 18 months - as provided by the wine production regulations. During this time, the wine can fully develop due to its long maturation on the lees. However, it is often extended to 36-48 months. During this phase, the yeast settles as a deposit in the bottle and is removed at the end of the second fermentation, without releasing the built-up pressure. For this purpose, the bottles are stored in inclined riddling trays (pupitres), with the neck inserted into pointed openings; thus, the angle of inclination of the bottles gradually becomes steeper, almost vertical, during transfer. This process, shaking and turning (remuage), lasts about a month and causes the yeast deposit to slide more and more from the bottle walls to the cork.
The next phase is disgorgement (dègorgement), a fascinating process and unique in method. The bottles are placed in a vertical position and the neck is immersed in a cold bath. This causes an ice plug to form from the yeast deposit. Now comes the removal of the crown cork: the pressure inside the bottle becomes so strong during uncorking that the iced yeast shoots out violently, although little of the pressure and the wine itself are lost. The bottle is either refilled with wine only (Pas Opèrè, Nature, Dosage Zèro), or the so-called liqueur d'expedition is added (wine with added sugar, cognac or other wine distillate). The amount of sugar in the dosage also determines the taste tuning of Franciacorta (Extra Brut, Extra Dry, Sec or Dry, Demisec). - Gerardo
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Cuvée Imperiale · Franciacorta Brut DOCGGuido Berlucchi, Lombardy
Guido Berlucchi's Cuvée Imperiale Franciacorta Brut presents itself in the glass with a pale straw yellow color and delicate greenish reflections that emphasize its freshness and brightness. The bouquet is rich and persistent, carried by a fine combination of fruity notes of ripe apples and pears and floral accents reminiscent of white flowers. Subtle nuances of yeast and fresh bread crust add complexity to the wine and are reminiscent of the traditional second fermentation that gives this...
€ 23,95 = 31,93 €/L
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'61 · Franciacorta Extra Brut DOCGGuido Berlucchi, Lombardy
Guido Berlucchi's '61 Franciacorta Extra Brut presents itself in the glass with a clear straw yellow color and subtle greenish reflections that emphasize its freshness and elegance. The mousse is soft, velvety, and persistently delicate, while the fine, even perlage gives the wine a lively, elegant texture. The nose reveals a multifaceted bouquet of fresh apple notes, floral honey, delicate vineyard peach, and a hint of biscuit, creating a charming balance of fruit and fine baking...
€ 24,95 = 33,27 €/L
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'61 · Franciacorta Satèn Brut DOCGGuido Berlucchi, Lombardy
Guido Berlucchi's '61 Franciacorta Satèn Brut appears in the glass in a bright yellow-green color, interspersed with delicate silver reflections, immediately signaling its freshness and elegance. The mousse is fine-bubbled and persistent, creating an elegant, almost floating texture. On the nose, the wine reveals subtle nuances of buttery brioche and white peach, complemented by nutty accents and a light, smoky minerality that underscores its...
€ 24,95 = 33,27 €/L
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Cuvée Imperiale · Max Rosè Franciacorta Extra Dry DOCGGuido Berlucchi, Lombardy
Guido Berlucchi's Cuvée Imperiale Max Rosè Franciacorta Extra Dry presents itself in a delicate, pale pink hue that can vary slightly from harvest to harvest—a reflection of the varying degrees of ripeness of the Pinot Noir's phenols. The mousse is soft, rich, and has a fine, persistent perlage that underscores the liveliness of the sparkling wine. The bouquet is complex, fragrant, and racy, carried by pronounced notes of ripe wild berries and fruity accents, while subtle vinous...
€ 26,95 = 35,93 €/L
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Gualberto · Franciacorta Dossagio Zero DOCG 2013Ricci Curbastro, Lombardy
The Gualberto Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero has a pale straw yellow colour with bright reflections and a fine, even perlage that underlines its refined style. A complex spectrum of aromas unfolds on the nose: fresh citrus notes of bergamot and gooseberry combine harmoniously with subtle hints of roasted hazelnuts, coffee and crispy bread crust - a balanced combination of freshness and...
€ 39,95 € 34,99 = 46,65 €/L
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'61 · Franciacorta Millesimato Brut Nature DOCG 2017Guido Berlucchi, Lombardy
The '61 Franciacorta Millesimato Brut Nature appears in the glass in an intense straw yellow color, interspersed with delicate golden reflections that herald its elegance and maturity. The mousse is soft and even, and the fine, persistent perlage gives the sparkling wine a lively freshness. The nose reveals a broad, deep bouquet with aromas of ripe yellow fruit, candied apricots, and a hint of brioche, complemented by subtle notes of licorice that add complexity to the...
€ 43,95 = 58,60 €/L
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Gualberto · Franciacorta Dossagio Zero MAGNUM DOCG 2005 (1er Geschenkbox)Ricci Curbastro, Lombardy
The Gualberto Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero has a pale straw yellow colour with bright reflections and a fine, even perlage that underlines its refined style. A complex spectrum of aromas unfolds on the nose: fresh citrus notes of bergamot and gooseberry combine harmoniously with subtle hints of roasted hazelnuts, coffee and crispy bread crust - a balanced combination of freshness and...
€ 79,00 = 52,67 €/L
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Palazzo Lana Extrême · Franciacorta Riserva DOCG 2013Guido Berlucchi, Lombardy
The Palazzo Lana Extrême Franciacorta Riserva fascinates with its intense straw-yellow color, which is interspersed with elegant rose-gold reflections. The fine perlage is delicate yet expressive, leading to a persistent, creamy mousse with a long-lasting crown. Its bouquet is generous and multi-faceted: fragrant apricots and sweet melon merge with the citrus-fresh notes of open orange peel, giving it an inviting, aromatic...
€ 99,95 = 133,27 €/L
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Franco Ziliani · Franciacorta Riserva DOCG 2008Guido Berlucchi, Lombardy
The Franco Ziliani Franciacorta Riserva presents itself in an intense straw yellow with an elegant golden shimmer. Its fine perlage is exceptionally persistent and forms a dense, creamy mousse with a persistent crown. The bouquet is complex and refined: aromas of yellow fruits, fresh pastries and candied oranges unfold harmoniously and lend the wine remarkable...
€ 199,00 = 265,33 €/L
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