Italiano
Alta Langa, a territorial brand
In the ten years since it obtained a DOCG classification, Alta Lange has been able to position itself on the market as a top-quality, traditional method sparkling wine.
People are increasingly talking about the identity of an appellation, an identity linked to a kind of common factor that is not only territorial and disciplinary but also has to do with a stylistic evolution, one that derives evermore from comparisons between and “team work” among producers in the appellation. This is the only way to send a message to the market that is clear and consistent in regard to what the appellation represents and it can be said that this is the path being followed by the Alta Langhe DOCG appellation through its producers’ association.
The “Progetto Spumante Metodo Classico in Piemonte” turns 30 on March 5, while it has been almost 20 years since the Consorzio Alta Langa producers’ association was founded and around ten years since the DOCG classification was recognized. There are more and more occasions on which this zone has moved together, united, to make itself known. An example was the Preview Alta Langa tasting organized last autumn in Milan, with the participation of 29 estates offering 67 cuvée for tasting which constituted an overview of brut sparkling wine (as opposed to the sweet Moscato), a traditional method blend based on Chardonnay and Pinot Noir.
In order to offer a snapshot of Alta Langa styles, we have selected six representative cuvee from the tasting.
Alta Langa Totocorde 2014 Giulio Cocchi
93/100 - € 38
A blend of 80% Chardonnay and 20% Pinot Noir that sits on the lees for over 48 months and receives a dosage of 5g/l. A luminous, golden-straw color with a very fine and creamy effervescence for the estate’s showcase cuvée for which the riddling is rigorously done by hand on wooden racks. The aromatic profile defines the style with fresh and, at the same time, delicate notes of renetta apple, candied citrus and white peach and nuances of almond shortcrust pastry and verbena. The mouthfeel is dynamically vivacious and brings a sensation of citrus to the palate with a juicy and rewarding progression towards a saline and harmonious finish.
The Bava family are an authentic standard bearer of quality in the area of Alta Langa and Cocchi has marked 130 years of success, adding Alta Langa to its 19th century banner of vermouth.
Alta Langa Millesimo2Mila15 2015 Marcalberto
91/100 - € 32
A blend of 60% Pinot Noir and 40% Chardonnay that matures on the lees for 42 months and has a dosage of 3.5g/l. A fine effervescence and golden-yellow color. The bouquet has scents of white flowers, butter shortcrust and bread, which usher in an intense mouthfeel with a tension that is clearly upheld by vigorous and limber energy that is substantially in balancer with the opulent and meaty fruit.
Marco and Alberto Case work six hectares of vineyards to produce only traditional method bubbly from their vineyards of Pinot Noir, between Calosso and Cossano Belbo, and Chardonnay, from Santo Stefano Belbo, which were historically Piedmont zones for Moscato and sit at altitudes of between 300m and 550m above sea level. Their winery is inside an historic late-19th century residence of stone and tuff stone that can host 30,000 bottles which are disgorged after at least two years aging in the bottle.
Alta Langa Zero 2013 Enrico Serafino
92/100 - € 32
A blend of 85% Pinot Noir and 15% Chardonnay that sits for 72 months on the lees without any dosage (pas dosé) when disgorged, hence the name. A luminous, straw color with a fine effervescence and an intense bouquet of yellow citrus and white currant with nuances of exotic spices and a touch of iodine. The creamy mouthfeel has some nice, dynamic citrus fruit and wildflower honey with a finish of brioche even if it is taut, avid and thirst-quenching.
Under the supervision of Nino Conta, enologists Gianni Malerba and Emanuele Fenocchio work at the vineyards in Mango, Loazzolo and Bubbio, while in the winery the trusted Paolo Giacosa and Beppe Caviola are working for this historic estate that is contributing in a key way to give a stylistic imprint and vision to Alta Langa.
Alta Langa Cuvée Aurora 2015 Banfi
90/100 - € 24
A blend of 70% Pinot Noir and 30% Chardonnay from upper hillside vineyards that sits for 40 months in the lees and receives a 4g/l dosage at disgorgement. An Extra Brut bubbly with a bright, straw-yellow color and a fine effervescence. The aroma has a lovely lime and ice-mint freshness and layered scents of yellow fruit like peach and golden delicious apple while the mouthfeel has flavors of pastry and vanilla that make it an engaging drop that never tires thanks to the low dosage.
Banfi began making sparkling wine here in 1997 even though they have been present in the area since 1979, when they acquired the Bruzzone estate in Strevi (operating since 1860 and specialized in sparkling wine). Today, Banfi in Piedmont Piemonte has 46 hectares of vineyards between Novi Ligure and Acqui and has been a leading force in the relaunching of Alto Langa.
Alta Langa Cuvée 60 mesi Riserva 2009 Gancia
92/100 - € 35
A Chardonnay-Pinot Noir blend that sits 60 months on the lees and receives a dosage of 2g/l. This almost-pas dosé has a straw color with golden hues and a very fine effervescence and is the feather in Gancia’s hat. The aroma has notes of citrus and yellow fruit, lemon curd and vanilla with nuances of peace and fresh almond. The mouthfeel is rich and harmonious with an engaging freshness and fine, fruity persistence and an aftertaste of pan brioche.
Gancia is a brand that dates back to 1848, when Caro Gancia decided to develop the miracle of Champagne in Italy after he visited Reims. This led to the creation of one of the world’s biggest sparkling wine producers which today can count on over 2,000 hectares of vineyards and 5,000 metric tons of grapes processed a year, over 1,000 used barriques for maturing and kilometers of underground tunnels, which are a UNESCO heritage site, and cellar carved out tuff-chalk stone in Canelli. Since 2002 it has belonged to the Russian Roustam Tariko.
Alta Langa Blanc de Noir For England 2014 Contratto
93/100 - € 28
Made only from Pinot Noir grapes from vineyards situated at an altitude of 700m above sea level. The wine sits on the lees for at least 48 months and is disgorged as a Pas Dosé. It has a luminous, golden color and a very fine and persistent effervescence that enhances the refined expression of Alta Langa together with the intensity of the Pinot Noir. For England is an emblem of elegance with a bouquet that has floral scents between locust and magnolia on a background of dried fruit, honey and red apple. The structure of the wild berries carries over to the mouthfeel with an almost peppery vein from the chalky and acute freshness that ushers in a distinct and balanced finish with a pastry aftertaste.
Given that the invention of the traditional method in Italy took place in the winery of Giuseppe Contratto, founded in 1867, with a traditional method 1919 Extra Brut, the Rivetti family today has a great responsibility and is carrying it out in the best way with Contratto, an authentic sparkling wine gem.
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