Slow Wine and Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri, representing two of the wine industry’s most anticipated events of the winter season, took place on consecutive days in the first week of March this year. An impressive collection of wines was poured at both events. Slow Wine highlighted a global array of wines that were ideal for sipping and savoring with food. Meanwhile, Gambero Rosso showcased the winners of its prestigious Tre Bicchieri awards for quality and excellence in winemaking.
A considerable number of producers were present at both Slow Wine and Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri. This came as no surprise because both Slow Wine and Gambero Rosso Tre Bicchieri emphasized quality in their selections. One of these was Barone Pizzini. Established in 1870 and based in Lombardy, Barone Pizzini is a leading producer of the traditional method sparkling wine Franciacorta, and the pioneer of organic Franciacorta production. Barone Pizzini’s 30 morainic soil-dominant vineyards are approximately 15 years old, occupy a total surface area of 60 hectares, and are situated at an average elevation of between 200 and 350 meters above sea level (asl). Barone Pizzini uses solar energy, cooling and water purification systems, and natural materials like stone and wood in the construction of its winery and surrounding buildings, to reduce the negative impact on the surrounding environment.
Franciacorta production dates back to the 1500s. In 1995, the appellation was granted a DOCG guaranteeing its origin and quality. The story of Barone Pizzini began when Austrian Hungarian nobleman Baron Giulio Pizzini Piomarta Von Thurberg immigrated to Franciacorta from Rovereto in the mid-nineteenth century and established the Amministrazione Agricola Pizzini. In the early twentieth century, Baron Edoardo Pizzini Piomarta established the Franciacorta Golf Club in Corte Franca and expanding the scope of the Pizzini beyond agriculture.
In 1991, the current Barone Pizzini winery was established. The aim was to adopt an environmentally sustainable approach to quality winemaking to produce terroir-driven wines, Barone Pizzini planted its first organic grapes in 1998. Three years later, the winery applied for organic vineyard certification.
In 2001, Barone Pizzini acquired territories in Scansano in Maremma and in Maiolati Spontini in the
Castelli di Jesi in Marche. Six years later, Claudio Gasparotti, (an original partner at Barone Pizzini), designed the energy-efficient bio architectural winery that is in use today.
In 2011, the winery began working with the Ita.Ca project to reduce the winery’s carbon footprint and became the first company to be certified ISO 14064. A year later, the Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Brut Rose’, 2008 was named the world’s best organic wine at the International Wine Challenge.
In 2015, Barone Pizzini was granted Biodiversity Friend certification, demonstrating the winery’s continued commitment to environmental sustainability. Three years later, Barone Pizzini created the Barone Pizzini Tesi Tre VSQ Erbamat Extra Brut Metodo Tradizionale, produced from the native grape Erbamat, a quality wine that reflects the unique local flavor of the terroir.
With Ugo Colombo (President) and Silvano Brescianini (CEO) currently at the helm, Barone Pizzini continues to make strides towards continued winemaking excellence as the region’s first producer of organic Franciacorta, all while maintaining its commitment to environmental sustainability.
Bagnadore Franciacorta Riserva Zero Brut DOCG, 2016
Composition: Blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grown on morainic and sandy soil enriched with pebbles that afford good drainage. Produced in small quantities using single-vineyard grapes harvested from 20+ year-old vines blended from the best vintages.
Vinification: Grapes are gently pressed before undergoing fermentation in stainless-steel tanks
and barriques under temperature-controlled conditions.
Maturation: 10 months in stainless-steel tanks and new and second use barriques. 70+ months on the lees.
Elegant and complex, with a fine and persistent mousse. lively acidity and salinity, aromas of summer, orchard, and tropical fruit, and sweet spice, and notes of ripe apples and pears, minced ginger, and hazelnuts.
Barone Pizzini Franciacorta Extra Brut Rose’ DOCG, 2019
Composition: Blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown on morainic and mineral-dominant soil enriched with gravel and pebbles that afford good drainage,
Vinification: Grapes are gently pressed before undergoing fermentation in stainless-steel tanks under temperature-controlled conditions.
Maturation: 10 months in stainless-steel tanks and first and second-use barriques. 30-40 months on the lees.
Notes: Vivacious, with a soft and persistent effervescence, bright acidity, aromas of dark flower petals, red and dark berries and stone fruit, and brioche, and notes of raspberries, cherries, plums, and toast.
Contact: Barone Pizzini S.AGR.R.L.
Via San Carlo 14, 25050 Provaglio d’Iseo (Bs)
Email: info@baronepizzini.it Tel: +39 030 9848311
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