Spumante Pas Dose' 'Cuvee Novecento' 2012 (750 ml.) - Contratto

THE WINE

Spumante Metodo Classico 'Cuvée Novecento' Pas Dosè by Contratto is born from the union of Pinot Noir (70%) and Chardonnay (30%) grapes. The vineyards are about 30 years old. located in Loazzolo and enjoy the unique characteristics of this area located at approximately 550 meters. Once the meticulous harvest is completed, a double fermentation follows in the cellar as required by the Classic Method. It refines for 7 years on the yeasts, revealing an elegant, decisive and majestic texture, of unexpected and extraordinary freshness and minerality, wrapped in a persuasive bouquet of dried fruit, honey, balsamic herbs, citrus peel and bread crust. Great result of perfect union between Alta Langa and a production philosophy like the sparkling wine one. 2012 is an award-winning vintage.

THE COMPANY

Contract winery has an ancient and prestigious history that has its roots back in 1867, when Giuseppe Contract decided to produce the first sparkling wines and build that extraordinary underground cellar, today known as the "Cathedral of Wine". Recognized as the oldest producer of Classic Method in Italy, the estate boasts, in fact, the distinction of having been, in 1919, the first to produce a vintage dry sparkling wine, produced solely from Moscato grapes. In those years, reference is also made to the creation of the sparkling wines of the "For England" line, based on French models, produced from the classic Chardonnay and Pinot Noir blend and intended for the drier palates of the English. An original idea for the time that aimed to contrast the prestigious, sweeter French bubbles that were becoming popular in Europe. In just a few years, Contract gained great success in Italy too, even entering the courts of the Vatican and thus becoming the official supplier of the royal family. Over 140 years of great success which allowed the Contract family to expand production and include red wines, still white wines, Vermouth and syrups alongside the famous bubbles. First sold in 1993 to the Bocchino family of Canelli, well-known grappa distillers, in 2011 the property passed into the hands of Giorgio Rivetti, owner of La Spinetta, who wanted to maintain a separate structure and continue production in the name of quality , growing and significantly expanding the vineyard surface.

Today Giorgio Rivetti has added approximately 40 new hectares to the Contract property in Bossolasco, in a particularly suitable area of the Langhe. The vines, mainly Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, are bred respecting tradition, giving birth to bunches rich in varietal aromas and full of flavours. In the ancient and evocative underground cellars the bottles sur lattes are preserved, still like in the old days. The labels retain the original brand created by the Contract family in the 1920s.

The Contract line offers great Classic Method sparkling wines with a refined, clean and sumptuous profile. The “For England” wines still retain the name dedicated to the old bubbles that were exported to England and particularly appreciated by the English because they were (and still are today) dry and therefore not dosed. Sparkling wines to rediscover the past and charm of one of the most important denominations in Italy.