Berlucchi '61 Brut

Matured in bottle sur lie for at least 24 months, this Satèn style (lower pressure) is gentle and appley on the nose, with touches of lemon and cream. In the mouth it's lusciously creamy, the lower pressure emphasising the wine's richness. Subtle flavours of stone fruit, tropical fruit and sweet spice swirl around a concentrated core of baked apple, enveloped by that creaminess. Pair this with a risotto for a real treat. Drinking Window 2020-2025.

This is one of the most accessible and well-priced expressions of high-end (Classic Method) Italian sparkling wines you can find on the market today. The NV Franciacorta '61 Brut (disgorged in 2017) is fresh and zesty with a long and festive set of easy-drinking qualities. You get citrus, stone fruit and sweet almond all backed by persistent perlage. The wine represents a blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero aged on the lees for two years. Some 410,000 bottles were produced.

A blend of 90% Chardonnay and 10% Pinot Nero, this refined sparkler opens with heady aromas of white wild flower, citrus and a whiff of bread crust. On the lively palate, fresh acidity brightens creamy white peach, Golden Delicious apple and lemon drop. A brioche note wraps up the finish. 

Brimming with candied-citrus and dried-pear character, this is a generous Franciacorta sparkler with nice creaminess, but finishes a tad sweet. Drink now.