Contratto
Alta Langa Bacco d'Oro Brut 2022
| Denomination | DOCG Alta Langa |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.0% by volume |
| Area | Piedmont (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 80% Pinot Nero, 20% Chardonnay |
| Aging | Ageing for approximately 9 months in stainless steel, followed by at least 30 months of maturation/ageing on the lees in the bottle (Traditional Method). |
- Type and composition: Dry Traditional Method sparkling wine, 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay
- Appellation and origin: Alta Langa DOCG, Bossolasco, Piedmont, altitude 700–780m
- Aromatic characteristics: Notes of ripe pear, linden blossom, toasted hazelnut and brioche
- Ageing on the lees: At least 30 months in the bottle with manual riddling; fine bubbles
- Technical data: 12% alcohol, 6 g/l sugar, 6 g/l acidity; certified vegan and organic
Description
What type of wine it is
Alta Langa Bacco d'Oro Brut by Contratto is a prestigious Piedmontese Traditional Method wine, born from an elegant blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes. Belonging to the prestigious Alta Langa denomination, this organic and vegan sparkling wine stands out for its intense aromatic profile, characterised by clear notes of ripe pear, linden flowers, and toasted hazelnut. On the palate, it is enveloping and harmonious, enriched by nuances of brioche resulting from the long period spent on the lees. Its lively freshness and delicate perlage make it a wine with a soft and refined structure.
Where it comes from
This wine comes to life in the prestigious vineyards of Bossolasco, in the province of Cuneo, situated in the heart of the Alta Langa in Piedmont. The vines grow at an altitude of between 700 and 780 metres above sea level, benefiting from a cool climate that promotes the aromatic development of the grapes. The soil is characterised by a peculiar composition of marly limestone, enriched with calcium carbonate and silt, a fundamental element for imparting savouriness to the wine. The name of the label recalls a fascinating anecdote from the 1940s, when the winery used to hide a gold coin in one out of every hundred bottles, creating a sought-after collector's item.
How it is produced
Production begins with de-stemming and soft pressing of the grapes, designed to extract exclusively the prestigious free-run must. Primary fermentation takes place in stainless steel tanks at a controlled temperature, guaranteeing the maximum expression of varietal aromas, followed by ageing for about nine months, also in steel. Secondary fermentation takes place in the bottle according to the strict rules of the Traditional Method, accompanied by traditional manual riddling (remuage). The wine then matures with long ageing of at least thirty months on the lees in the bottle, a crucial step that gives this Brut its unmistakable structural complexity.
History and curiosities
The historic Contratto winery links this fine sparkling wine to a legendary anecdote from the 1940s, when they hid a precious eighteen-carat gold coin between the cork and the capsule of one bottle in every hundred. Even today, this name faithfully evokes the exclusivity of that sought-after collector's prize. Interestingly, this label represents the only Brut sparkling wine of the entire Piedmontese estate, rigorously keeping the memory of its ancient origins alive through a process that celebrates traditional manual riddling with pure devotion.
Tasting notes
Perlage
Perfume
Color
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 Bacco d'Oro Brut 2022 |
|---|---|
| Type | White organic classic method sparkling wine brut |
| Denomination | Alta Langa DOCG |
| Vintage | 2022 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.0% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 80% Pinot Nero, 20% Chardonnay |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Vendor | Contratto |
| Story | History and curiosities The historic Contratto winery links this fine sparkling wine to a legendary anecdote from the 1940s, when they hid a precious eighteen-carat gold coin between the cork and the capsule of one bottle in every hundred. Even today, this name faithfully evokes the exclusivity of that sought-after collector's prize. Interestingly, this label represents the only Brut sparkling wine of the entire Piedmontese estate, rigorously keeping the memory of its ancient origins alive through a process that celebrates traditional manual riddling with pure devotion. |
| Origin | Bossolasco (Cuneo), Upper Langa (Piedmont), Italy |
| Soil composition | Marly limestone with calcium carbonate and silt |
| Fermentation temperature | Temperature-controlled |
| Fermentation | Primary fermentation in stainless steel, followed by approximately 9 months of ageing; second fermentation in the bottle (Traditional Method) with at least 30 months’ ageing on the lees. |
| Production technique | Traditional Method (second fermentation in the bottle) with manual riddling |
| Wine making | After destemming, the grapes are gently pressed without crushing; only the free-run juice is used. Primary fermentation takes place in stainless-steel tanks at a controlled temperature, followed by approximately 9 months of ageing in steel before bottling. The secondary fermentation occurs in the bottle according to the Classic Method, with manual riddling and at least 30 months of ageing on the lees. |
| Aging | Ageing for approximately 9 months in stainless steel, followed by at least 30 months of maturation/ageing on the lees in the bottle (Traditional Method). |
| Total acidity | 6.0 gr/L |
| Residual sugar | 6.0 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |