Ep. 270 Cristina Ziliani (Berlucchi Winery) on the Franciacorta Wine Region

In this episode Monty Waldin meets Cristina Ziliani, daughter of Franciacorta creator and co-owner of Guido Berlucchi - Franco Ziliani. Cristina talks about his father’s dream in 1961 of making a great Italian traditonal method sparkling wine and illustrates the characteristics of the Franciacorta terroir and microclimate near Lake Iseo in Lombardy. Cristina tells Monty about the company’s goal to make their vineyards organic in full (at present 2/3 of their vineyards are organic) and their work with precision farming technologies. She also presents various Franciacorta styles—rosé, Satèn, and zero dosage—and a typical dish from the area, Manzo all’olio, paired with Franciacorta rosé. Tune in to learn more about Guido Berlucchi’s new project with the Erbamat grape variety and don’t miss out on Monty’s attempts to uncover the secret location of the only 2 remaining bottles of Berlucchi’s very first vintage in 1961!