Berlucchi Franciacorta: Three Bottles, Three Pairings

Berlucchi is arguably one of the best-known names in Franciacorta, Italy's prestigious Traditional Method sparkling wine. The house was a true pioneer of the denomination: it brought sparkling wine production to this corner of Lombardy and released the very first Franciacorta in 1961. Today Berlucchi is synonymous with savoir-faire, the good life and the effortless elegance only Italians seem to master. What better time to discover its wines than the holidays?

Leave the usual sweet pairings to others — as Italians would say, "don't pair it with panettone." Franciacorta wines are mostly dry and precise, made for the savory side of the table, and a holiday menu has plenty of room for them. Here are three bottles with three unexpected pairings.

Berlucchi '61 Rosé, dressed for the sea

In Italy, Christmas Eve is all about seafood, and that is where Berlucchi '61 Rosé shines. Its soft red-fruit character and bright, fresh finish play beautifully with the natural sweetness of shellfish. Try it with lobster tagliolini or golden shrimp cakes. It is elegant enough to make the classic shrimp cocktail feel black-tie. Serve it ice cold.

Berlucchi '61 Extra Brut, the risotto wine

Then comes the dish that so often steals the show: risotto. Berlucchi '61 Extra Brut has lively freshness and just a whisper of dosage. It slips between the creaminess of the rice and the savory depth of the dish, leaving the palate clean and ready for the next forkful. Think saffron, or radicchio and Taleggio, though any savory cheese will do: rich, comforting and surprisingly graceful with bubbles.

Berlucchi '61 Vintage Nature, for the cheese board (or at midnight)

Berlucchi '61 Vintage Nature has no added sugar and nothing to hide behind. It is vivid and mineral, with real backbone, a natural partner for a board of aged cheeses, where its dryness sharpens every flavor. Our favorite way to enjoy it, though, is on New Year's Eve, glass in hand, just before the clock strikes twelve. A bubbly this complex needs no pairing.

Stock up now, and when the holiday season arrives, Berlucchi will be ready to celebrate with you. Salute. Find these wines at your local Eataly or have them shipped to your door when you order online.