Structure

Bodylight
Tanninlow
Acidityhigh
Sweetnessdry
Finishmedium
Oaknone or neutral

Drinking window

Best 0 to 3 years from disgorgement.
disgorgement0 yrs3 yrs8 yrs

Critic scores

No critic score is published for this bottle that we can cite with a reviewer, a vintage and a review year, so none is shown. The rating in the header is our own.

In the glass

Light-bodiedLow tanninHigh acidityDryMedium finish

Aroma: green apple, lemon, white flowers, fresh almond

Palate: green apple, lemon zest, creamy mousse, delicate citrus

The original Berlucchi traditional-method sparkling, the descendant of Franco Ziliani's 1961 founding cuvée. Now bottled outside DOCG as a VSQ at an everyday price.

What it pairs with

  • Aperitivo platter with focaccia Find aperitivo platter with focaccia on TableJourney →
    Brescian aperitivo focaccia and salame meet the wine's green apple and creamy mousse; an everyday Italian aperitivo pairing.
  • Bresaola della Valtellina
    Salt-cured beef from the nearby Valtellina valley finds a foil in the wine's high acidity and almond aromatics.
  • Lake Iseo trout in carpione
    Vinegar-marinated lake trout meets the wine's lemon zest and brut dosage; high acidity carries the marinade.

History

Cuvée Imperiale traces directly to Franco Ziliani's 1961 work at Palazzo Lana for Guido Berlucchi: the first Italian methode champenoise sparkling. The wine is now classified as VSQ rather than DOCG Franciacorta because it sources base wine from beyond the DOCG zone.

  1. 1961: Franco Ziliani makes the first Italian traditional-method sparkling at Palazzo Lana
  2. 1967: DOC Franciacorta promulgated

Facts

Producer
Guido Berlucchi & C. · visiting guide
Grapes
Chardonnay (90%), Pinot Nero (10%)
Classification
VSQ (Vino Spumante di Qualità) Brut
Oak
Stainless steel; minimum 18 months on lees in bottle
ABV
12.5%
Price
EUR 12 to 18 at retail
Drinking window
0-3 from disgorgement
First vintage
1961
Vegan
Yes (no animal-derived fining)

Frequently asked about Berlucchi Cuvée Imperiale Brut

What does Berlucchi Cuvée Imperiale taste like?

Green apple, lemon, white flowers and fresh almond on the nose; green apple, lemon zest, creamy mousse and delicate citrus on the palate. Light-bodied with high acidity and a medium finish.

Is Cuvée Imperiale a Franciacorta DOCG?

No. Cuvée Imperiale is bottled as VSQ (Vino Spumante di Qualità) because base wine sources extend beyond the Franciacorta DOCG production zone. It is the descendant of Berlucchi's 1961 founding cuvée and the volume entry into the Berlucchi range.

When should I drink Cuvée Imperiale?

Drink within 0 to 3 years of disgorgement. Built for everyday aperitivo freshness; cellaring beyond three years offers no benefit.

Tags

chardonnay drink young dry high acid light body mood festive mood refreshing occasion aperitivo occasion celebration occasion weeknight old world pairs with aperitif pairs with charcuterie pairs with fried food pairs with shellfish pairs with white fish pinot nero price everyday sparkling traditional value pick vegan

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