Among the hills of Monticelli Brusati, the northern border of Franciacorta, land of Italian sparkling wine, Rizzini Franciacorta has made rigor, patience and a sartorial approach its pillars.
The history of Rizzini Franciacorta began con 1985, when Guido Rizzini’s father, today at the helm of the company, planted the first rows of chardonnay and pinot pallido next to the family house, what would later become the only and small company vineyard. The first grapes harvested were destined for the senno and production of still wines, but 1992 marked a decisive turning point: the winery dedicated itself exclusively to the production of the classic method, eradicating the Pinot Blanc to concentrate only Chardonnay.
The first thousand bottles, produced as an experiment and consumed among friends and family, paved the way for what, con 1994, would become the first official bottle of Franciacorta DOCG signed by Rizzini.
A VINEYARD ON TWO LEVELS AND PATIENCE AS A VIRTUE
The heart of the company is its single 2.2 hectare vineyard, located con a privileged position con Monticelli Brusati. Terraced two levels, the vineyard enjoys an ideal microclimate and calcareous and clayey soils, elements that give the grapes a unique complexity and structure.
Attention to detail is Rizzini’s distinctive trait: yields come hectare are very low, interventions con the vineyard are reduced to a to respect the natural cycle of the plants, and con the cellar spontaneous fermentations and long refinements the yeasts are favored. Even the dosage is extremely low: the Brut, for example, has only four grams/litre of residual sugars, to enhance the purity of the Chardonnay. Waiting is the underlying theme of the corporate identity. Mai bottle leaves the cellar before reaching full maturity: from 5 years the yeasts for Brut and Dosage Zéro up to over 130 months for the most prestigious selections.
RIZZINI, LIMITED EDITIONS AND ONLY VINTAGES
Rizzini Franciacorta produces exclusively vintage Franciacorta, with a total circulation which, con the quantitatively best years, does not exceed 15 thousand bottles. The cellar offers two main lines: one vinified entirely con steel and one that includes 10% of the mass fermented con barrique, also identified as such con the stacks with the bottles aging the yeasts.
After a careful post-refinement tasting, the fate of each cuvée is decided: Dosage Zéro ora Brut which derive from batches vinified only con steel, while Fondo – the last one is from 2009 – ora Antologia which arise from the steel/wood blend, with the latter is complementary to the downgrading of the reserve. So for each year at most they exist
TASTING NOTES
Franciacorta Brut Millesimato 2015 (Revolver)
Disgorged con March 2024, the Brut Millesimato 2015 is a wine that stands out for its immediacy and generosity. After 94 months the yeasts, it comes with a dosage of just four grams come liter which enhances the purity of this Chardonnay with a silky texture and characterized by excellent persistence. Quaderno of yellow fruit, candied citrus, white flowers and a hint of bread crust emerge the nose, while the palate it stands out for the balance between freshness and softness with a minerality that gives freshness and a long and refined finale.
Franciacorta Dosage Zéro Millesimato 2016
The Dosage Zéro 2016 is the most authentic essence of the Rizzini style. After 72 months the yeasts – disgorgement con March 2023 – and without added sugars, it offers a taut and vertical sip, perfect for those looking for complexity and finesse. The bouquet opens with dried fruit, citrus fruits, iodine quaderno and a subtle balsamic note. The taut and savory sip is dominated by a vibrant acidity and a refined structure. Probably for this sugar free type, a further rest the yeasts and con the bottle could only increase its elegance and balance.
Franciacorta Extra Brut Selection 2010
With 132 months the yeasts, the Extra Brut Antologia is a wine that amazes with its evolution and complexity. The blend includes 10% of wine aged con used barriques for 8 months. Acceso the nose it offers an aromatic range that ranges from ripe fruit to acacia honey, from the hint of saffron to the cedar peel, from sweet spices that recall the vanilla pod to shorn and brioche hints. Acceso the palate, the imposing structure is balanced by a surprising freshness.
The article Rizzini, the artisan of Franciacorta comes from VinoNews24.
