Contratto
Alta Langa Millesimato Pas Dose 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 | Second fermentation in the bottle followed by at least 48 months of ageing on the lees in the bottle, with manual riddling. |
- Name: Alta Langa DOCG 2022, organic classic method with no dosage
- Grape variety: 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay, for an elegant and lively character
- Ageing: at least 48 months on the lees in the bottle, with manual riddling
- Aromas: ripe citrus fruits, Reinette apple, brioche, hazelnut and acacia honey
- Palate and perlage: vertical and savoury, creamy; fine bubbles, persistent finish
Description
What kind of wine it is
The Alta Langa Pas Dosé by Contratto is an elegant organic sparkling wine crafted according to the strict Traditional Method. Made from a careful blend of Pinot Noir and Chardonnay, it stands out for its zero dosage, ensuring a tasting experience of utmost purity. In the glass, it shines with an intense straw-yellow colour, enlivened by a fine and persistent perlage that lends creaminess to the palate. On the nose, clear aromas of ripe citrus, renetta apple and acacia honey emerge, complemented by hints of brioche, for a vertical sip with pronounced savouriness.
Where it comes from
The grapes ripen in the heart of Piedmont, within high-altitude vineyards in the municipality of Bossolasco. Situated between seven hundred and eight hundred metres above sea level, the rows benefit from an exposure that encourages steady and balanced ripening. The soil, characterised by calcareous marl with silt and calcium carbonate, imparts a distinct mineral tension to the wine. This specific geological identity gives energy and vibrant freshness, fundamental components to support a long evolution over time.
How it is produced
Vinification begins with gentle pressing aimed at extracting only the free-run must. After an initial fermentation in steel tanks and a period of about nine months, the wine undergoes secondary fermentation in the bottle as required by the Traditional Method. The ageing process involves at least forty-eight months on the lees, with traditional hand remuage. The absence of final dosage enhances a dynamic and lively character, enriched by notes of toasted hazelnut and candied orange peel, culminating in a long and satisfying finish.
History and Curiosities
The Millesimato Pas Dosé 2022 celebrates the legacy of Contratto, a pioneering winery since 1867. Born at high altitude in Bossolasco, this organic Metodo Classico sparkling wine blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a pure and vertical sip. The long ageing of 48 months on the lees, completed by manual remuage, imparts sublime creaminess and an extremely fine perlage, revealing elegant notes of citrus and brioche. Awarded 92 points by Vinous, this rare long-aged, zero dosage wine embodies the identity of Alta Langa in a savoury and unforgettable finish.
Awards
-
2022
92/100
Vinous is the online guide from Antonio Galloni, one of the world's leading wine connoisseurs.
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 Millesimato 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 | 80% Pinot Nero, 20% Chardonnay |
| Country | Italy |
| Region | Piedmont |
| Vendor | Contratto |
| Story | History and Curiosities The Millesimato Pas Dosé 2022 celebrates the legacy of Contratto, a pioneering winery since 1867. Born at high altitude in Bossolasco, this organic Metodo Classico sparkling wine blends Pinot Noir and Chardonnay in a pure and vertical sip. The long ageing of 48 months on the lees, completed by manual remuage, imparts sublime creaminess and an extremely fine perlage, revealing elegant notes of citrus and brioche. Awarded 92 points by Vinous, this rare long-aged, zero dosage wine embodies the identity of Alta Langa in a savoury and unforgettable finish. |
| Origin | Bossolasco (CN), Piemonte |
| Climate | Altitude: 700-780 m a.s.l. Exposure: South, South-East, South-West. |
| Soil composition | Calcareous marl, presence of calcium carbonate and silt. |
| Harvest | Last week of August |
| Fermentation | Minimum 48 months on the lees in the bottle |
| Production technique | Classic method (second fermentation in bottle) |
| Wine making | After destemming, the grapes are pressed without being crushed to obtain the free-run must; the first fermentation takes place in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks, followed by around 9 months of maturation in steel and bottling. This is followed by a second fermentation in the bottle (Traditional Method) with manual riddling and extended ageing on the lees in the bottle (minimum 48 months). |
| Aging | Second fermentation in the bottle followed by at least 48 months of ageing on the lees in the bottle, with manual riddling. |
| Total acidity | 7.0 gr/L |
| PH | 3.2 |
| Allergens | Contains sulphites |