Pizzini was held in Florence. In my opinion, it is certainly among the top five producers of Italian sparkling wines.
The event was organized by Multimedia, in Florence at Vito Mollica’s Portinari salon. Stefano Donarini, owner of Multimedia PR, does an excellent job of organizing an event.
Of course, Dr. Silvano Brescianini, a partner in the company, and several industry journalists were also present at the event.
For the occasion, Vito Mollica created a menu to pair with the sparkling wines at the tasting. The wines on offer ranged from 2021 to 2011.
with the “Butter-seared scallops with vegetable ciambotta and saffron sauce.”
Next up was the “citrus fruit and red prawn risotto” paired with the 2019 and 2018 editions, a perfect pairing.
The diners’ mouths continued to rejoice as they savored the “Guinea Fowl Supreme with Porcini Mushrooms” paired with the 2017 edition.
With the ” Cheesecake Pudding with Mango Sorbet” we wet our mouths with the very pleasant 2016 edition, but the height of pleasure, both olfactory and gustatory, came when we were served the Franciacorta Bagnadore Rosé 2011.
2011 was an exceptional vintage in Franciacorta and this Bagnadore is proof of that.
I must say that ever since I discovered the sparkling wines from Barone Pizzini, I fell in love with them, even if at first the bubbles were a bit aggressive and the acidity was a bit unbalanced.
Over time, the wines have improved significantly and have fine, caressing bubbles on the palate with a mitigated, present but not aggressive acidity.
It was a very pleasant meeting and the opportunity to review the vintages produced. I’ve always maintained that doing a vertical tasting (i.e., multiple vintages) of the same wine helps you understand the company and its terroir .
Let’s now move on to describing the wines of the vertical tasting.
BARON PIZZINI
FRANCIACORTA ROSÉ EDITION, 2021 vintage
EXTRA BRUT DOCG
( Blend : 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay)
Bottles produced: 30,000
Pink color of rosolio.
The bubbles are very fine and quite present.
Olfactory stage of intense raspberry scent followed by red cherry, hazelnut and fresh celery, pear thigh, hints of episperm (it is the sweetness of the skin of boiled chestnuts), iodine to finish with whispers of pine resin.
The palate is caressed by fine bubbles, savory flavors of lemon, raspberry, and green tea. The body is medium, and the wine is perfectly balanced thanks to a generous acidity.
Its persistence is long with an exciting finish of pink grapefruit and pomegranate.
(94/100)
BARON PIZZINI
FRANCIACORTA ROSÉ EDITION, 2019 vintage
EXTRA BRUT DOCG
( Blend : 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay)
Bottles produced: 39,996
Antique pink coat (rosolio), bright.
The bubbles are fine and quite numerous.
Bouquet with slightly woody aromas , green tea, hints of episperm (the sweetness of boiled chestnut skin), salty, raspberry, and pear, finishing with hints of pink grapefruit.
Mouth characterized by a medium body and fine bubbles.
Intense flavor of bitters, pink grapefruit and green tea.
A well-balanced wine with freshness that dominates the alcoholic mass without hesitation.
Its taste persistence is long with a finish of pomegranate and pink grapefruit (the latter is less intense than the 2021).
(93/100)
BARON PIZZINI
FRANCIACORTA ROSÉ EDITION, 2018 vintage
EXTRA BRUT DOCG
( Blend : 100% Pinot Noir)
Bottles produced: 39,972
Antique pink robe (rosolio).
The bubbles are fine and quite numerous.
On the nose, the first thing that strikes you is the scent of raspberry, followed by cotton starch, hints of green tea, pear, red and white cherry with light balsamic notes.
On the palate it has a medium body, is savoury and the bubbles are quite fine.
Strong flavor of bitters and green tea.
Well-balanced wine with freshness dominating the alcohol content.
Its taste is long-lasting with an intense finish of pink grapefruit and pomegranate.
(93/100)
BARON PIZZINI
FRANCIACORTA ROSÉ EDITION, 2017 vintage
EXTRA BRUT DOCG
( Blend : 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay)
Bottles produced: 39,996
Chromatic effectiveness with antique pink color.
The bubbles are fine and quite numerous.
A range of olfactory sensations with a hint of flint, followed by aromas of raspberry, pear, hints of hazelnut, saltiness, and pine resin, finishing with hints of blond leather. The palate is caressed by fine bubbles. The body is medium-sufficient.
Due to its generous freshness it reminds me a bit of the 2021. A well-balanced wine with an imperceptible alcohol content.
The tannin of the wood can be slightly felt on the upper gum.
Its intense aromatic persistence is long with a finish of pink grapefruit, pomegranate and green tea.
(92/100)
BARON PIZZINI
FRANCIACORTA ROSÉ EDITION, 2016 vintage
EXTRA BRUT DOCG
( Blend : 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay)
Bottles produced: 43,200
slightly evolved antique pink nuance , with orange tones.
The bubbles are very fine and quite numerous.
The olfactory casket opens to aromas of green tea, light woody notes , raspberry, cherry, blackcurrant and pear.
The palate is satisfied by a medium body, sapidity and flavours of intense pink grapefruit (including the white inner part of the peel) and raspberry hard candy.
A well-balanced wine with a freshness that completely neutralizes the alcohol. Its long finish lingers with notes of pomegranate and pink grapefruit.
(93/100)
BARON PIZZINI
FRANCIACORTA BAGNADORA RISERVA ROSÉ, 2011 vintage
EXTRA BRUT DOCG
( Blend : 100% Pinot Noir – not dosed)
Bottles produced n. 6612.
For the first time in Italy, a Franciacorta has been granted a vintage reserve: a season of excellent quality and quantity has allowed the reserve wine to be set aside.
A pink hue with subtle hints of light red emerges from the glass. The bubbles are very fine, intense, and quite numerous.
The olfactory stage showcases the intense scent of raspberry followed by the sweetness of the outer part of the candy, amber, saltiness and pine resin.
The palate is captivated by fine bubbles and an intense pink grapefruit flavor, complemented by the savory and tangy notes of raspberry. The rich freshness envelops and completely silences the alcohol.
The body is medium, refined, and elegant. Its intense aromatic persistence is long, with a finish of pomegranate and pink grapefruit.
(96/100)
