Contratto
Alta Langa For England Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé 2021
| Denomination | DOCG Alta Langa |
|---|---|
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Area | Piedmont (Italy) |
| Grape varieties | 100% Pinot Nero |
| Aging | Aged for 42 months on the lees |
- Organic and vegan: certified, spontaneous fermentations with indigenous yeasts
- Grapes and vintage: 100% Pinot Noir, Alta Langa DOCG Piedmont, 2021 harvest
- No dosage: dry, crisp and fresh taste, long saline and citrus persistence
- Traditional method: second fermentation in the bottle, aged for 42 months on the lees
- Aroma and appearance: intense gold, very fine perlage, citron, toasted almond, ginger
Description
What kind of wine is it
The Contratto For England Blanc de Noirs sparkling wine is an organic and vegan expression that interprets Alta Langa. Crafted according to the Traditional Method, it is made exclusively from Pinot Noir grapes. Spontaneous fermentations, guided by indigenous yeasts, shape a dry and linear profile. Visually, it displays an intense golden colour enhanced by an extremely fine perlage, introducing a sharp sip characterised by lively freshness and a long citrus finish.
Where does it come from
The high-altitude vineyards of Loazzolo benefit from a cool climate, ideal for developing the aromatic profile. The composition of the calcareous-marl soils gives the wine a marked tension and a saline finish. In this area of Alta Langa is located Contratto, a historic winery founded in 1867 and once a supplier to the Vatican and the Belgian crown, which interprets Piedmontese winemaking with a rigorous profile, translating the identity of the territory into sips of absolute precision.
How is it produced
Manual harvesting is followed by rapid cooling of the grapes. The must, gently extracted without crushing, begins primary fermentation with indigenous yeasts. As required by the Traditional Method, the secondary fermentation in the bottle is accompanied by forty-two months of ageing on the lees, enriching the bouquet with notes of citron, toasted almonds and candied ginger. The absence of dosage preserves a savoury and profound finish, with consistent citrus vibrations.
History and Curiosities
Founded in 1867, Contratto boasts a prestigious heritage as a historic supplier to the Vatican. The For England label was created in 1930 to pay tribute to the English court with an innovative dry traditional method, defying the sweet trends of the time. Today, this vocation lives on in an excellent Alta Langa DOCG made from organic Pinot Noir grapes, offered strictly in the Pas Dosé style. The absence of dosage enhances a vertical and vibrant sip, delivering an elegant citrus persistence that embodies the winemaking excellence of Piedmont.
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 2021 |
|---|---|
| Type | White organic classic method sparkling wine pas dosé |
| Denomination | Alta Langa DOCG |
| Vintage | 2021 |
| Size | 0,75 l |
| Alcohol content | 12.5% by volume |
| Grape varieties | 100% Pinot Nero |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Vendor | Contratto |
| Story | History and Curiosities Founded in 1867, Contratto boasts a prestigious heritage as a historic supplier to the Vatican. The For England label was created in 1930 to pay tribute to the English court with an innovative dry traditional method, defying the sweet trends of the time. Today, this vocation lives on in an excellent Alta Langa DOCG made from organic Pinot Noir grapes, offered strictly in the Pas Dosé style. The absence of dosage enhances a vertical and vibrant sip, delivering an elegant citrus persistence that embodies the winemaking excellence of Piedmont. |
| Origin | Loazzolo (Asti) |
| Climate | Cool climate (high-altitude vineyards) |
| Soil composition | Calcareous-marly |
| Harvest | Last week of August |
| Production technique | Traditional method (second fermentation in bottle) |
| Wine making | The grapes are carefully selected and hand-picked, then cooled in a cold room; the juice is collected without pressing. Both the first and second fermentations are carried out exclusively with indigenous yeasts, with the second fermentation taking place in the bottle (traditional method). Aged for 42 months on the lees and no dosage (pas dosé). |
| Aging | Aged for 42 months on the lees |
| Total acidity | 7.5 gr/L |
| PH | 3.1 |
| Residual sugar | 2.0 gr/L |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |