2022 Contratto - Alta Langa DOCG Contratto Millesimato Brut Pas Dose (750ml)

Italian sparkling with a serious pedigree. Giuseppe Contratto founded the house in Canelli in 1867, and its hand-dug underground cellars, part of the town’s famous “underground cathedrals,” are now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. In 1919 Contratto made Italy’s first vintage-dated metodo classico, and the house went on to supply both the Vatican and the Italian royal family. Since 2011 it’s been owned by Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta, a lifelong Champagne lover who now works exclusively with estate-grown Pinot Noir and Chardonnay from the high hills of Alta Langa.

The Millesimato is about 80% Pinot Noir and 20% Chardonnay from calcareous marl soils around Bossolasco, hand riddled and aged three years or more on the lees, then finished with zero dosage. It’s airy and sharply focused, with hints of white smoke, ginger and fresh nectarine, zesty acidity and crisp bubbles, and a long, clean finish with a twang of lime. A fantastic value next to grower Champagne. Pair with oysters, crudo, fried calamari or parmesan.