Piemonte Sparkling wines

there are several appellations for sparkling wines in Piemonte, which can be made using the second fermentation in the bottle or in pressurized tanks: asti DOCG from Moscato grape, Brachetto d’acqui DOCG from Brachetto grape, and Piedmonte DOC spumante from varieties allowed by the rules of Piemonte appellation.

since 2011, the region of Piedmont has a new DOCG for sparkling wines - alta langa, situated on the right bank of the river tanaro, on the hills of the provinces of asti, alessandria and Cuneo. Chardonnay and Pinot noir, authorised in the production, grow on calcareous clay-marl soils, at an altitude of a minimum of 250 m. the wines must be made using the traditional method with a minimum of 30 of aging on lees. White or rosé, the dosage of alta langhe sparkling wines varies from Pas dosé to Brut, and the wine offers intense fruity and floral aromatics with defined autolytic character. (base 2020) The nose is fruity and offers a certain delicacy. It reveals notes of fleshy white peach, lychee and, more slightly, - notes of peach blossom associated with touches of crushed white fruits as well as a discreet almost chalky hint. The palate is balanced and offers minerality, a tangy frame, some crunchiness, a fine chewiness, a fine roundness and a certain tension. The effervescence is very dynamic, frank and energetic. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of crisp apple, crisp green peach and slight notes of lychee associated with slight touches of quince as well as slight hints of limestone. Good length. A subtle hint of almost juicy pineapple in the finish.

Score : 15/20 (89-90/100) (base 2020 - organic) The nose is fruity and offers juiciness as well as good definition. It reveals notes of juicy/pulpy peach, pear and slight touches of fresh mandarin associated with a fine touch of fresh raspberry as well as a discreet hint of kumquat, almost fresh almond and a very discreet hint of rose. The mouth is fruity, elegant, a bit aerial and offers a nice definition, delicacy and a nice tangy frame. The effervescence is very fine and offers delicacy as well as energy. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy peach, rose and slight notes of fresh/pulpy raspberry associated with touches of crushed green apple as well as slight hints of lychee, a subtle hint of almond as well as with an almost imperceptible hint of apricot. Good length. A nice hint of almond and a very discreet hint of brioche on the finish/persistence.

Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100)

Alta Langa

The nose is fresh, fruity and offers a nice expression of terroir. It reveals notes of crunchy apple, juicy nectarine and slight notes of lychee associated with fine touches of juicy mandarin as well as a subtle hint of almost ripe fresh white bramble. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, a tangy frame, a good definition, a fine suavity, precision, pureness, a refined straightness as well as accuracy. The effervescence is very fine and elegant. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy green apple, juicy/tangy nectarine and slight notes of crunchy pear combined with touches of citrus fruit as well as a subtle hint of lime. Good length. Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100)

(base 2018) The nose is fruity and offers a pleasant delicacy, good definition and a refined intensity. It reveals notes of fresh raspberry, fleshy/juicy peach and slight hints of crunchy apple associated with a discreet hint of quince as well as a subtle hint of toasted almond. The mouth is fruity and offers freshness, minerality, a nice definition, a tangy frame as well as precision. The effervescence is very fine, precise and offers a refined straightness. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/fleshy apple, fleshy/juicy nectarine and slight notes of small white berries associated with slight touches of apricot, toasted almond and an imperceptible hint of lemon cream/meringue (in the aftertaste). Good length. A subtle hint of tannins both in the structure and in the aromatics (in the finish of the palate). A slight salinity and a fine chalky note in the aftertaste.

Score : 15.25+/20 (90-91/100)

Alta Langa

The nose is mineral, clear, precise and offers some fruitiness. It reveals notes of apple, lychee and white flowers associated with fines touches of almost green asparagus as well as fine hints of starfruit and an imperceptible spicy hints. The palate is fruity and offers juiciness, a fresh/tangy frame, minerality, a nice definition, a fine creaminess, finesse as well as precision. The effervescence is fine and delicate. Nice energy, precision and accuracy. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/tangy apple, pulpy/tangy nectarine and slight notes of white flowers associated with touches of fresh yellow fruits as well as a subtle varietal hint and a very discreet hint of egg cream. Good length. Presence of a very discreet hint of dried almond and saline note in the finish.

Score : 15.75/20 (91-92/100)

Alta Langa

The nose is fresh, fruity and offers delicacy in its fruit. It reveals notes of juicy yellow apple and slight notes of juicy quince associated with slight touches of apple blossom as well as slight hints of juicy/fresh mirabelle plum and discreet hints of fresh nutmeg in the aftertaste. The palate is fruity and offers a tangy frame, juiciness and good definition. On the palate, this sparkling wine expresses notes of juicy yellow apple, quince and slight notes of tangy/crunchy apple associated with touches of star fruit, dried almond as well as a subtle hint of juicy/fresh lime and a discreet hint of dried almond. Good length.

Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

The nose is fruity and offers fine concentration, freshness, good definition and a refined richness. It reveals notes of yellow apple, juicy/ripe mirabelle plum and slight notes of juicy/fresh white fruits associated with a discreet hint of egg cream and a subtle hint of cereal/wheat. The mouth is fruity and offers freshness, a nice definition, a certain concentration, fullness, a fine creaminess as well as delicacy. The effervescence is relatively fine, precise and finely tight. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of pulpy/juicy mirabelle plum, crunchy green apple and slight hints of apricot associated with touches of fresh white fruits, citrus fruits as well as a subtle hint of zest, a very discreet touch of pastry (in the aftertaste) and an imperceptible, almost honeyed hint in the finish. Good length. Nice acidity on the finish/persistence.

Score : 15.25/20 (90/100)

The nose is nicely aromatic, fresh and offers a fine concentration as well as a nice little stretched side. It reveals notes of mirabelle plum and slight notes of crushed nectarine associated with touches of vanilla, fine hints of pineapple, lemon/citrus as well as discreet hints of toasted almond and a subtle almost saline note. The palate is fruity and offers freshness, energy, dynamism, a nice tangy frame, a slight iodized hint as well as a discreet and good integration of the ”good” bitterness. The effervescence is fine, dynamic (more than on the TM24) and offers a fine creaminess. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of luscious mandarin, apricot and slight notes of crushed yellow fruits associated with touches of vanilla as well as slight hints of pastries/honey, a discreet hint of apricot and a subtle hint of zest. A fine salinity and delicacy on the finish. Score : 15.5/20 (90-91/100)

Alta Langa DOC

The nose is fruity and offers a fine minerality. It reveals notes of fresh pear, fresh quince and slight hints of yellow peach associated with fine touches of toast and an almost imperceptible hint of egg cream. The palate is fruity and offers a tangy frame, energy, good definition and dynamism. The effervescence is fine, elegant and dynamic. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of juicy/ripe lemon, quince and slight notes of crisp/tangy white peach associated with slight touches of pear, slight hints of fresh almond as well as a subtle hint of white flowers, dried almond (in the aftertaste) and an imperceptible almost saline/egg cream note. Good length. Score : 15+/20 (89-90/100)

Piemonte Spumante

The nose is fruity, fresh and slightly tight. It reveals notes of quince, apricot and, more slightly, hints of pear associated with fine touches almost of citrus zest as well as a discreet hint of dried mandarin and spices. The palate is fruity and offers a tangy frame, a bit of roundness and energy. The effervescence is frank, straight, fine and dynamic. On the palate, this wine expresses notes of quince, apricot and, more slightly, - notes of yellow peach associated with small touches of quenette, lemon as well as slight hints of dried mandarin and A subtle hint of almost almond / toasted brioche. Good length. Presence of a fine chalky hint on the finish/persistence.

Score : 15/20 (89-90/100)

Alta Langa DOCG

Nice fruity nose, fresh and straight, which offers a good definition as well as a fine creaminess. It reveals notes of creamy green apple, tangy/fleshy flat peach and slight notes of fresh berries associated with a subtle hint of fresh quenette and a discreet hint of caviar lemon. The mouth is fresh, fruity, bright, elegant and offers a nice definition, a tangy frame, a nice sapidity / delicacy, a fine definition as well as a certain generosity in precision / straightness. The effervescence is fine, elegant, racy and offers a fine creaminess and freshness. On the palate this wine expresses notes of pulpy/tangy green apple, creamy nectarine and slight hints of juicy lemon associated with touches of peach blossom as well as a subtle hint of verbena and a discreet hint of candied lime (in the aftertaste). Good length. A fine chalky point and a subtle saline hint in the finish.

Score : 15.75+/20 (91-92/100)