ALTA LANGA TASTING – TOP 5
The consorzio per Alta Langa DOCG set up a phenomenal event at the gorgeous Venaria Reale in Torino last week. We felt so chic tasting bubbles inside the iconic black and white checkered hall:) Overall the quality of the Alta Langa was extremely high with a tendency towards high acid and delicate body. Here were my top 5:
COCCHI
ALTA LANGA DOCG
PAS DOSE’ Millesimato 2011
So good I didn’t even take notes! I do know that there were only 5,000 bottles made and 500 magnums made so we feel super lucky to have tasted this.
100% Chardonnay (biotype from Champagne)
No added sugars or liqueur…
GANCIA
ALTA LANGA RISERVA
Brut 120 Mesi (2006)
80% Pinot Noir 20% Chardonnay
Only 50% of the must gets put inside the Cuveé. Aged in barriques on the lees for 6 months and then second bottle fermentation for about 40 days followed by 120 months on the lees in bottle.
Gancia has one of the most important histories in Italy when it comes to sparkling wines and their expertise is shown well with this wine. We feel so lucky to have tasted it.
ROBERTO GARBARINO
ALTA LANGA DOCG Il Viaggio Blanc de Blanc Extra Brut
100% Chardonnay
Wine fermented in stainless steel with 1 month second fermentation in bottle and about 30-40 months on the lees.
Extremely expressive and floral nose of Jasmine and white flowers. Great acidity with bread crust on the palate and nice creamy persistence. CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY HIS WINES!
ETTORE GERMANO
ALTA LANGA DOCG RISERVA
Blanc de Noir 2016 Pas Dosé
100% Pinot Noir
First fermentation partly in medium sized French casks and partly in stainless steel. Second fermentation in bottle for at least 65 months with no added liqueur.
Aromas of white flowers and bread crust with fine and persistent perlage. The flint notes start coming through with a beautiful mineral and salty palate with structure and finesse.
CONTACT US IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO TRY SOME!
COLOMBO
ALTA LANGA RISERVA
Rosé Riserva 120 mesi
Special edition
100% Pinot Noir
First fermentation in stainless steel with second fermentation in bottle for 120 months! Remouge done by hand on traditional wooden pupitres.
Open and floral nose with notes of blush and talcum powder.Harmonious and delicate with nice persistence. Great wine!
CONCLUSION
Although we often lean towards very small artisan producers for red and white wines in Piemonte, it can be a different story with sparkling wines. Because the wine is very much influenced by the hand of the winemaker (ex: Liquor de expedition, disgorgement) and the quality of the equipment can be quite an investment, sometimes this philosophy of big means bad, doesn’t always stand true. In fact, the bigger houses like Gancia, Fontanafredda e Cocchi had the oldest wines to share as they have some of the most experience going back centuries. All in all we were super impressed with all the wines tasted at the event last week and can’t wait to put in some more Alta Langas into our wine club selections!
A special mention goes also towards – Paolo Berutti ( I didn’t have a picture) whose bouquets were outstanding on all their wines. This is a small producer specializing in sparkling wines.
Another special mention goes out to Sara Vezza who has been investing in property in Alta Langa for quite some time now. We tasted her wine coming from high altitudes in Murazzano and were impressed with this label!
Nice article, Anna. It’s nice to see Alta Langa making headway. I think this will be one of the top two or three zones for classic sparkling wine in Italy very soon.
We strongly agree on the Germano Blanc de Noir Pas Dosé – marvelous wine!
Definitely a stand out! I am loving the bubbles here in Langhe and hoping you are right! Thanks as always for reading and commenting. Much appreciated!