Alta Langa Riserva Special Cuvee Pas Dose 2015

Description

Classic method sparkling wine, Alta Langa DOCG Riserva Special Cuvée, 12.5% ABV, produced by Contratto in Piedmont. Vintage 2015. An Alta Langa that celebrates the history of a winery founded in 1867, a pioneer in the production of sparkling wines in Italy. Blend: 90% Pinot Noir, 10% Chardonnay. Aged for at least 90 months. Fine, creamy, and persistent perlage. Herbaceous and citrusy on the nose, with hints of dried apricots, thyme, and orange blossom. Straw yellow with coppery highlights. On the palate, it is fresh and incredibly complex; the delicate notes of toasted hazelnuts and small pastries are well balanced with its minerality.

Details

Perlage

The perlage is fine, creamy and persistent.

Perfume

Herbaceous and citrusy on the nose, with hints of dried apricots, thyme and orange blossom.

Color

Straw yellow with copper highlights.

Taste

Fresh and incredibly complex on the palate; delicate notes of toasted hazelnuts and small pastries are well balanced with its minerality.

Serve at:

06 - 08 °C.

Longevity:

05 - 10 years

Producer

Producer

Contratto

From this winery

• Start up year: 1867
• Oenologist: Andrea Rivetti
• Bottles produced: 180.000
• Hectares: 40

Giuseppe Contratto founded his winery in 1867 when he began vinifying Moscato wine from Monferrato, producing one of the first Italian sparkling wines refermented in the bottle. During this same time, the Contratto family began building its historic cellars, which would finally be finished at the beginning of the 20th century.

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

Piedmont

Technical Sheet

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
Origin	Bossolasco (CN)
Climate	Altitude: 700 - 780 m. a.s.l. Exposure: South, South-East, South-West.
Soil composition	Calcareous marly, presence of calcium carbonate, silt and sand.
Wine making	After destemming, the grapes pass through the press without being crushed. From the draining of the berries, we obtain the first-pressing must. The first fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled steel tanks, then the Pinot Noir matures in steel for about 9 months, while the Chardonnay rests in French oak barrels.
Aging	Second fermentation in the bottle is followed by at least 90 months of ageing. Remuage is carried out manually.
Total acidity	7.1 gr/L
Allergens	Contains sulphites