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CHAMPAGNE 
SPARKLING 
SPARKLING 
SPARKLING 
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DOMAINE BALLORIN
Producer
Casa Zuffada
Italy, Lombardy
Colli Verdi, Pavia
Colli Verdi, Pavia
5000 bottles in the cellar
Specialities: Sparkling wine
It was in Ruino, in the heart of Oltrepò Pavese, that Francesco Cardinali took over the small agricultural settlement of Casa Zuffada in 2010. He renovates the farm and adds a new planting of Pinot noir to the 200 or so vines already there (a complantation of nearly 100-year-old Pinot noir, Nebbiolo and Croatina).
Between 2013 and 2014, 7,000 vine cuttings purchased in France are planted, entering production in 2016. With the advice of the Etnean Salvo Foti, the vines are positioned in a quincunx pattern (i.e., with a rhombus module), so as to obtain free rows, accessible from any perspective, and pruned in the alberello style.
A single wine, the ultimate expression of Pinot Noir
The agronomic method is organic, with entirely manual labor and hand hoeing under the vine. Only copper and sulfur are used in the vineyard.
Ruino's microclimate is excellently ventilated, with daily summer temperature ranges of as much as 12-14°C, also made possible by the altitude of about 600 meters above sea level, which is essential for the development and finesse of aromas in the grapes.
Winemaking, dedicated exclusively to the sparkling wine project and a single label, consistently follows the countryside's unobtrusive approach. Manual harvesting and spontaneous alcoholic fermentation in stainless steel; drawing not before March with indigenous yeasts and then resting on the lees for at least 30 months.
No dosage is used after disgorgement. At no stage of vinification are sulfites added. This is how Francesco obtains a great classic method, dry, sharp and rigorous, of exquisite expressive naturalness.
