Franciacorta Brut (1999)

About this wine

This Franciacorta Brut from Le Marchesine presents a brilliant straw-yellow color with fine, persistent bubbles. The aroma offers notes of baked bread, orange zest, and subtle orchard fruits. On the palate, it delivers flavors of mature yellow apple, toasted hazelnut, and a light confectionary note, complemented by a silky texture. The wine undergoes a minimum of 24 months of bottle aging, enhancing its complexity and depth. Franciacorta, located in Lombardy, is renowned for producing Italy's finest traditional method sparkling wines, and this 1999 vintage exemplifies the region's commitment to quality.

About the grape

In the Franciacorta region of Italy, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero are the primary grape varieties used in producing sparkling wines like the 1999 Le Marchesine Franciacorta Brut. Chardonnay, introduced in the 1950s, is prized for its consistent yields and ability to maintain freshness and balance, contributing intense, fragrant aromas with notes of fruit and flowers. Pinot Nero, originally from Burgundy, adds structure and complexity to the blend, though it can be challenging to cultivate due to its variability. Pinot Bianco, while less prevalent, imparts elegance and a distinctive aroma reminiscent of fresh-baked bread crust, evolving into almond-like nuances over time. The combination of these grapes, each with unique characteristics, plays a crucial role in defining the profile of Franciacorta wines.

Quick facts

• 🇮🇹🍾 Franciacorta is Italy's premier sparkling wine region, achieving DOCG status in 1995, the highest classification for Italian wines.
• 🏡🍷 Le Marchesine, established in 1985, is a family-owned winery in Franciacorta, renowned for producing high-quality sparkling wines using traditional methods.
• 🍇🥂 The 1999 Franciacorta Brut by Le Marchesine is crafted from a blend of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero grapes, offering a complex and elegant profile.
• ⏳🍾 Franciacorta wines undergo a minimum of 18 months of aging on the lees, contributing to their rich flavors and fine perlage.
• 🏰📜 The name 'Franciacorta' is believed to derive from 'francae curtes,' referring to tax-free trade zones in the Middle Ages, highlighting the region's historical significance.

Palate profile

Producer

Le Marchesine, established in 1985 by Giovanni Biatta in Passirano, Italy, began with just three hectares of vineyards. The Biatta family's winemaking heritage spans over five generations, dating back to Camillo Biatta, a négociant-éleveur in the early 20th century. Today, under the leadership of Loris Biatta and his children, Alice and Andrea, the estate has expanded to 47 hectares, producing approximately 450,000 bottles annually. Notably, Le Marchesine was among the first in Franciacorta to adopt advanced French viticultural techniques, including the Guyot training system, enhancing the quality and reputation of their wines.