Guido Berlucchi, Franciacorta (Lombardy, Italy) 2016

 Guido Berlucchi is credited with inadvertently becoming the pioneer of Franciacorta when he assigned a young enologist to enhance his still wines.  However, Franco Ziliani proposed utilizing the grapes for sparkling wine instead.  After numerous unsuccessful attempts at crafting the bubbly, they finally struck gold in 1961.  The Berlucchi Franciacorta ‘61 Nature stands out as one of the most accessible and reasonably priced representations of high-end Méthode Champenoise (“Champagne method”) Italian sparkling wines currently available in the market.  Flavors of crisp green apple, lemon curd, and white peach dance across the palate, underscored by hints of toasted brioche, adding complexity and depth to the wine.  Blended from 70 percent Chardonnay and 30 percent Pinot Noir, it is crisp, refreshing, aromatic, and long on the finish, with a nice touch of saline minerality for pairing it with food.