53TH VINITALY: BERLUCCHI UNVEILS ITS NEW ’61 NATURES

The prestige of the Family of Berlucchi ’61 Nature Franciacortas— Guido Berlucchi’s “purist” line of vintage-dated (Millesimati), zero-dosage Franciacortas grown in its most exceptional estate vineyards—has gained in stature through the addition of a much-awaited new wine: Berlucchi ’61 Nature Blanc de Blancs 2012 (100% Chardonnay).

It will have its official debut at this year’s Vinitaly, accompanying its already-stablished siblings in the family group: ’61 Nature 2012 (70% Chardonnay and 30% Pinot Noir, launched in 2016) and ’61 Nature Rosé 2012 (100% Pinot Noir), which emerged in 2018 to a clamorous reception.

Berlucchi ’61 Nature Blanc de Blancs 2012 represents to most uncompromising expression of Chardonnay grown in the Franciacorta growing area, since the grapes are grown exclusively in the heart of a single vineyard. The grapes there display extraordinary roundedness and balance, thanks to the vineyard’s distinctive aspect, encapsulated in the vineyard’s very name, Arzelle, which in the local dialect means “burnt by the sun.”

These characteristics, combined with meticulous care in the vineyard and winecellar, yield a wine remarkable for its structure, crisp flavours, and finesse, all beautifully supported by a judicious acidity and a long-lingering, supple bead of pin-point bubbles.

To fittingly celebrate the arrival of its latest-born, Berlucchi will gather together loyal friends and customers on Sunday 7 April in the exclusive venue of Villa Arvedi for a festive evening of toasting and sipping for this important milestone, while on Monday 8 April, in order to strengthen ties with the finest interpretations of Italy’s noble cuisine, the 2012 vintage of the entire ’61 Nature line will be partnered with the complex, refined vegetarian dishes of maestro Pietro Leemann, Michelin-starred chef of Joia di Milano, this time on the “historical stage” of Palazzo Lana in Borgonato.