This Fratelli Berlucchi Freccianera Franciacorta DOCG Brut 2018 is a real standout from Lombardy’s answer to Champagne - Franciacorta. It’s a traditional method Italian sparkling wine made with a classy blend of Chardonnay (60%), Pinot Bianco (30%) and Pinot Nero (10%), aged a good 40 to 50 months on its lees for added richness and complexity.
In the glass, it’s all crisp citrus and white peach with hints of brioche and bread crust. There’s a lively mousse, fresh acidity, and a long, mineral finish that keeps you coming back for another sip. A lovely food-friendly wine.
Food pairings:
Try it with seared scallops, or go veggie with a wild mushroom risotto.
For a cheese board, it’s beautiful with a nutty Comté or even a bit of crumbly Lancashire.
Also holds its own with lightly spiced Thai prawn curry – the bubbles and freshness work a treat.
"I absolutely love Franciacorta wines – they're elegant without being uptight. The extra ageing for this wine gives it that lovely creamy texture and depth, but there’s still loads of zip and freshness. It’s like the best bits of Champagne but with a bit more sunshine in its soul. Perfect for celebrations – but also just a classy bottle to crack open with dinner when you fancy something a bit special."
This wine comes from Fratelli Berlucchi, one of Franciacorta’s most respected family estates - now known under the sleek “Freccianera” label. With 70 hectares of vines in the rolling morainic hills of Lombardy, they’ve got generations of experience and a firm grip on quality. They grow everything themselves, from Chardonnay and Pinot Nero to the less common but increasingly important Pinot Bianco, which makes up an unusually high 30% of this blend.
Every grape is picked by hand and pressed gently, with each variety vinified separately. The wine then undergoes its second fermentation in bottle (just like Champagne), followed by a minimum 40-month rest on its lees - though many bottles go for closer to 50. That long ageing gives it its refined mousse, creamy texture and layered flavours. No shortcuts here - just proper, traditional winemaking that shows in every glass.
The soil’s calcareous and well-draining, which adds a nice line of minerality to the finish. And while this vintage isn’t certified organic or vegan, the Berlucchi team keep things clean, using low sulphites and sustainable practices wherever possible.
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