Azur, the first sparkling
of Traditional Method
in Chile, awarded as the
Best sparkling wine in the country.
Today, organic.
Azur, the first traditional
method sparkling wine
in Chile, awarded as the
number one in the country.
Today, Organic..
Azur, the first sparkling
of Traditional Method
in Chile, awarded as the
Best sparkling wine in the country.
Today, organic.
Azur, the first traditional
method sparkling wine
in Chile, awarded as the
number one in the country.
Today, Organic.
The first cellar specialized in the Traditional Method in Chile.
AZUR is a milestone in Chile’s history of sparkling wine, because it is the first to be made in a cellar that dedicates itself exclusively to the Traditional Method production.
Partners Rafael Guilisasti and Stefano Rossi conceived this project inspired by the French tradition of the Champagne houses. They sought out to collaborate with Franco Ziliano, owner of Berlucchi, the renowned brand of Italian sparkling wine brand from the Franciacorta region, because of his knowledge of the techniques that this type of product requires.
In a second stage they delegated the execution of the project to three young professionals that have continued to develop it with their own input. They are Sofía Guilisasti, responsible for marketing and the brand’s image; Francisco Molina, in charge of the administrative and commercial area; and Carlo Franchini, enologist in charge of the technical area.
That’s how the First House that specializes in the Traditional Method was born in Chile, dedicated exclusively to the elaboration of premium sparkling wine.
The essence of the Traditional Method consists in obtaining bubbles after a second fermentation process that occurs inside the bottle. In this second fermentation, inactive yeast (also called Liqueur de Tirage or lees) is added to the bottle, which is what gives that sparkling wine bubbles that are soft and unique in character.
After this second fermentation, a very important step is the “riddling” or “disgorging”, which consists in getting rid of the yeast. This occurs by turning the bottle systematically until the lees are deposited at the top of the neck. Next comes the “degüelle”, which is when the top part of the bottle is frozen and then it is opened, thus allowing a clean expulsion of the yeast sediments. Inmediately after Liqueur d’Expedition is added. It is in this moment that the type of sparkling wine is defined: Natur, Extra Brut or Brut, which is what gives the product its final touch. Finally, it is bottled and the labeled for its future sale.
With its minerality and unique freshness, Azur becomes an iconic Chilean sparkling wine.
With its minerality and unique freshness, Azur becomes an
iconic Chilean sparkling wine.
With an intense bright yellow color, Azur is a chain of persistent and fine bubbles. When held up against the nose it evokes soft and provoking floral notes, it has an aroma of dried toast and fruit.
AZUR BRUT combines the right amount of acidity in the mouth that harmonizes with a structure of elegant mineral notes. It possesses a good persistence in the mouth, and an elegant and unique aftertaste.
The grapes are harvested very early to obtain the right amount of acidity, which allows the freshness to be prolonged during the 24 months in which the sparkling wine evolves inside the bottle
Azur has its roots
in the lapis lazuli stone.
There are only two known deposits of this semiprecious mineral in the world: the Hindukush mountain range in Afghanistan and the Limarí Valley in Chile. That is why lapis lazuli was declared Chile’s “National Stone” in 1984, due to its importance internationally.
The blue obtained from this stone, called Azur, was up to four times more valuable than gold during the Renaissance. When it was combined with its silver grains, it became the old color of royalty. It was also a highly sough out color by the great painters of the European Renaissance –among them Leonardo da Vinci, Alberto Durero, and Fra Angélico-, because of its stability and durability.
Our sparkling wine reflects the Chilean identity by relating lapis lazuli with quality and exclusivity, as well as the concept of luxury that its colors represent.
To sabre a bottle: the classic practice of opening a Traditional Method sparkling wine with a saber or short knife.
This tradition dates back to the time of Napoleon and consists in opening a sparkling wine bottle with a short sable, thus breaking the neck of the bottle using the existing pressure in the bottle’s interior. There is no need to remove the cork or the muselet (wire cage).
Opening the bottle using this method can only be achieved with a Traditional Method sparkling wine of great quality, because the glass has to be sufficiently strong enough to support the pressure from the second fermentation that occurs inside the bottle. This information is important because it’s very dangerous to try this opening method with a bottle of regular sparkling wine. Generally the bottle breaks irregularly and can result in an injury.
The 750 cc Azur bottle and 1500 cc Magnum are ideal to practice this technique.
Grapes: 70% Pinot Noir y 30% Chardonnay exclusively from the Limarí Valley, organically grown.
Weather: The Pacific Ocean is only 30 kilometers away, which allows the Humbolt current to influence the vineyard with its summer freshness and allows a good thermal fluctuation between day and night. The presence of “camanchaca” or morning dew, and the breeze that appears during the afternoon, are other important aspects of the climate. These constrain the temperature to not go above 30°C and allow for the perfect ripening of the different varieties of grapes.
Earth: An earth that is rich in clay and has a good dose of calcium carbonate, which is the element that for a sparkling wine with an elegant body and a minerality that is characteristic of this region.
The land in which the Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grape vines grow has been treated organically since 2015 and was officially certified organic in 2018.
Organic agriculture is a method where the natural ecosystem of the land is maintained. Having a healthy and sustainable field is essential in order for the earth to express itself to the maximum. When working with fertility and the biological life, the use of external pesticides is minimized. This allows us to protect our workers and give life back to this unique ecosystem.
Organic agriculture involves a lot more than just not using agro-chemicals.
Azur is born from art:
from the grapes to the bottle.
It’s very important for Azur’s team to have a bond with the art world. The elaboration of this product itself is like the creating of a work of visual art. Each year Azur’s creative team elaborates a limited edition box along with a nationally recognized artist, to dress the most special sparkling wine of the year.
Santiago:
Tiendas El Mundo del Vino
Tienda Les Dix Vins
La Cav
La Vinoteca
Ovalle:
Fuente Toscana
Hacienda Santa Cristina
Botillería Julin
