Contratto
Alta Langa For England Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé 2022
| Denomination | DOCG Alta Langa |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.0% by volume |
| Area | Piedmont (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Pinot Nero |
| Aging | Approximately 9 months of maturation in stainless steel, followed by ageing on the lees in the bottle (Traditional Method) for at least 36 months, indicated as approximately 42 months. |
- Type and designation: Alta Langa DOCG Traditional Method sparkling wine, 2022 vintage
- Grape variety and style: 100% Pinot Noir, zero dosage, dry and linear
- Production method: Manual harvesting of the grapes and spontaneous fermentation with indigenous yeasts
- Ageing: Maturation on the lees for at least 36–42 months and manual riddling of the bottles
- Sensory profile: Fine bubbles, citrus notes and a savoury finish, alcohol content 12%
Description
Wine profile
Alta Langa For England Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé by Contratto is a sparkling wine produced using the Metodo Classico (Traditional Method) that strictly expresses the Piedmont terroir. Made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes, this organic and vegan wine belongs fully to the celebrated Alta Langa appellation. On the palate, it reveals a dry and vertical style, characterised by mineral tension and a lively freshness that blend into a long, citrusy finish. Production via the Metodo Classico ensures a sharp and highly precise sip, perfect for those who appreciate deep and clean profiles.
Where it comes from
The grapes come from vineyards located in Piedmont, at altitudes between 750 and 780 metres above sea level, in the heart of the Alta Langa. In this high-altitude area, the cool climate encourages the optimal development of the grapes' aromatic profile, supported by west and south-west exposure. The soils are composed of calcareous marl and light clay, with a marked mineral component rich in silicon, which gives the wine its characteristic savouriness. The Contratto winery, founded in 1867, cultivates these historic vineyards, transforming the peculiarities of this territory into an oenological expression of rigorous precision, using old vines that are over forty years old.
How it is produced
The production process begins with destemming and placing the grapes in the press without crushing, obtaining the free-run must by draining the berries. The first fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, supported by the use of indigenous yeasts, followed by a maturation period, also in steel, lasting about nine months. Subsequently, the wine undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle according to the Metodo Classico, resting on the lees for a long period before disgorgement. The operations conclude with manual remuage (riddling) and the decision not to add any sugar dosage, keeping the identity of the Pas Dosé profile intact.
History and interesting facts
Founded in 1867, the historic Contratto winery boasts a heritage of absolute prestige, having been an official supplier to the Vatican and the Belgian crown. The iconic For England label was created in 1930 with a specific purpose: to pay homage to the English court by introducing an innovative dry sparkling wine, courageously challenging the sugary trends dominant at that time. This pioneering vocation lives on today in a rigorous non-dosed Traditional Method, which embodies centuries-old Piedmontese excellence, offering the palate vibrant sips of absolute historical precision.
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 For England Blanc de Noir Pas Dose 2022 |
|---|---|
| Type | White organic classic method sparkling wine pas dosé |
| Denomination | Alta Langa DOCG |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Pinot Nero |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Vendor | Contratto |
| Story | History and interesting facts Founded in 1867, the historic Contratto winery boasts a heritage of absolute prestige, having been an official supplier to the Vatican and the Belgian crown. The iconic For England label was created in 1930 with a specific purpose: to pay homage to the English court by introducing an innovative dry sparkling wine, courageously challenging the sugary trends dominant at that time. This pioneering vocation lives on today in a rigorous non-dosed Traditional Method, which embodies centuries-old Piedmontese excellence, offering the palate vibrant sips of absolute historical precision. |
| Origin | Loazzolo, Asti |
| Climate | Cool climate (high-altitude vineyards) |
| Soil composition | Calcareous marl and light clay |
| Harvest | Last week of August |
| Fermentation temperature | Temperature-controlled |
| Fermentation | Approximately 42 months on the lees |
| Production technique | Traditional Method (secondary fermentation in the bottle) |
| Wine making | After destemming, the grapes are placed in the press without crushing; the free-run must is obtained through the natural drainage of the berries. Primary fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless-steel tanks, followed by approximately 9 months of ageing in steel before bottling. The secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle according to the Traditional Method, with ageing on the lees for at least 36 months (approximately 42 months indicated), manual riddling, and no dosage (Pas Dosé). |
| Aging | Approximately 9 months of maturation in stainless steel, followed by ageing on the lees in the bottle (Traditional Method) for at least 36 months, indicated as approximately 42 months. |
| Total acidity | 7.5 gr/L |
| PH | 3.1 |
| Residual sugar | 2.0 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |