Contratto
Alta Langa Riserva Special Cuvee Pas Dose 2015
Other years:
2011| Denomination | DOCG Alta Langa Riserva |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Area | Piedmont (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 90% Pinot Nero, 10% Chardonnay |
| Aging | Second fermentation in the bottle followed by at least 90 months of ageing on the lees; manual riddling. |
| Other years | 2011 |
- Vintage and designation: Alta Langa DOCG Riserva Pas Dosé 2015, 12.5% vol
- Grape variety: 90% Pinot Noir and 10% Chardonnay from Bossolasco (Cuneo), Piedmont
- Traditional method: bottle refermentation and ageing on the lees for at least 90 months
- Tasting notes: fine and creamy perlage; notes of citrus, thyme and orange blossom; mineral finish
- Serving and pairings: serve at 6–8 °C with starters, shellfish, sushi and fried fish
Description
What kind of wine it is
Contratto's Alta Langa is a sparkling wine of great structure produced in Piedmont. This blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay is crafted using the Traditional Method. Offered in a zero dosage version, it reveals a fresh and complex character. Visually, it displays a straw yellow colour with slight coppery highlights, enhanced by a fine and creamy perlage with long-lasting persistence. The aromatic profile releases clear citrus and herbal notes, which precede a sip marked by a pronounced mineral character.
Where it comes from
The vineyards that give rise to this wine are located in the municipality of Bossolasco, in the province of Cuneo, at the heart of Alta Langa. The vines grow between 700 and 780 metres above sea level, with optimal exposures to the south, south-east and south-west. This microclimate encourages slow ripening of the grapes, preserving a vibrant aromatic freshness. The calcareous marl soils, rich in calcium carbonate, silt and sand, impart the wine with a distinct mineral and savoury drive.
How it is produced
After destemming, a gentle pressing is used to extract only the free-run must. The first fermentation takes place in stainless steel at a controlled temperature; the Pinot Noir remains there for nine months, while the Chardonnay rests in French oak barrels for seven months. The prise de mousse follows the Traditional Method protocol, with ageing on the lees for at least ninety months and the traditional manual remuage. This long maturation integrates hints of thyme, orange blossom and dried apricot with elegant notes of petit fours and toasted hazelnut.
History and Curiosities
Produced in Piedmont by the historic winery Contratto, active since 1867, the 2015 vintage represents the maison’s first prestigious Riserva. This rare excellence of Alta Langa DOCG originates in Bossolasco and matures for at least 90 months on the lees, being refined through traditional manual remuage. As a Pas Dosé, it expresses the authentic elegance of the grapes without any added dosage. Awarded the 5 Grappoli Bibenda, this sparkling wine combines mastery and complexity, offering an unforgettable tasting experience.
Awards
-
2015
5Italian Sommelier Foundation (FIS) guide This has been one of the most prestigious wine guides in Italy for over 10 years.
Tasting notes
Perlage
Perfume
Color
Taste
Serve at:
06 - 08 °C
Longevity:
05 - 10 years
- Start up year: 1867
- Oenologist: Andrea Rivetti
- Bottles produced: 180.000
- Hectares: 40
Around 1910 Contratto began to export their wines. Contratto had great success in foreign markets, and the winery became synonymous with prestige and quality in the world of sparkling wines, so much so that the winery became the official wine supplier for the Vatican, the Belgian Royal Family, and in 1913 the Royal Family of Savoy. In 1919 Contratto produced its first vintage Italian sparkling, an innovative choice on the part of the Piedmontese sparkling house that aimed to highlight a single vintage's characteristics.
The Contratto family remained at the company's helm until 1993, when the Bocchino family, who owned a distillery of the same name, took the reigns of Contratto. The Bocchino family set forth the work of restoring the Wine Cathedral, the internal courtyard, and the tasting room.
Giorgio Rivetti, a huge fan of Champagne, began collaborating with the Bocchino family and immediately realized the great potential of the historic sparkling house. Shortly after, in 2011, the Rivetti family decided to take an important step and purchased the winery. This new project immediately reflects the philosophy and passion that made La Spinetta famous. A fundamental decision was directly taken: acquiring several hectares of land, some under vine, close to the little town of Bossolaso. Situated in the highest part of the Langhe, the Bossolasco zone lends itself perfectly to the cultivation of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay. These grapes are used in the production of the Alta Langa DOCG. This marks the official entry of Contratto in the Consortium of Alta Langa, and Contratto becomes the reference point for the entire denomination. Read more
| Name | Contratto Alta Langa Riserva Special Cuvee Pas Dose 2015 |
|---|---|
| Type | White green classic method sparkling wine pas dosé |
| Denomination | Alta Langa DOCG |
| Vintage | 2015 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 90% Pinot Nero, 10% Chardonnay |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Vendor | Contratto |
| Story | History and Curiosities Produced in Piedmont by the historic winery Contratto, active since 1867, the 2015 vintage represents the maison’s first prestigious Riserva. This rare excellence of Alta Langa DOCG originates in Bossolasco and matures for at least 90 months on the lees, being refined through traditional manual remuage. As a Pas Dosé, it expresses the authentic elegance of the grapes without any added dosage. Awarded the 5 Grappoli Bibenda, this sparkling wine combines mastery and complexity, offering an unforgettable tasting experience. |
| Origin | Bossolasco (Cuneo), Piemonte |
| Soil composition | Calcareous marly soils with calcium carbonate, silt and sand |
| Fermentation | At least 90 months |
| Production technique | Classic method (bottle fermentation) |
| Wine making | After destemming, the grapes are transferred to the press without being crushed, obtaining the free-run must. The first fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks; then the Pinot Noir matures in steel for about 9 months, while the Chardonnay rests in French oak barrels. This is followed by a second fermentation in the bottle (traditional method) and ageing on the lees for at least 90 months, with manual riddling. |
| Aging | Second fermentation in the bottle followed by at least 90 months of ageing on the lees; manual riddling. |
| Total acidity | 7.1 gr/L |
| Year production | 180000 bottles |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |