Alta Langa (Italy)
Alta Langa Metodo Classico is produced the same way as Champagne.
Alta Langa Flavors
Citrus, Apple, Pear, and Strawberry are typical Alta Langa flavors.
 Citrus |
 Apple |
 Pear |
 Strawberry |
Fermentation flavors:
 Butter |
 Yeast |
 Bread |
 Almonds |
Tertiary Flavors from Aging:
 Oak |
 Vanilla |
 Toast |
 Nuts |
Alta Langa Profile
Metodo Classico wines have much the same profile as traditional Champagne:
| SUGAR: | Dry 3g/l |
| BODY: | Medium |
| FRUIT: | Medium |
| ACIDITY: | High |
| ALCOHOL: | 12-13% ABV |
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Serving temperatures: 10-12°C (50-54°F) |
Alta Langa Food Pairing
You can drink Sparkling Wines to almost everything whether it is French Champagne, Spanish Cava, or Italian Prosecco.
Sparkling wines pair well with salt, because the bubbles break up the salt in the mouth. Acidity and bubbles can also pair well with creamy and oily dishes.
 Aperitif |
 Salads |
 Tapas |
 Sandwitch |
 Seafood |
 Oysters |
 Salmon |
 Sushi |
 Fries |
 Chicken |
 Turkey |
 Pork |
 Egg Dishes |
 Pasta |
 Risotto |
 Soft Cheese |
Excellent pairings
Caesar Salad. Seafood Salad.
Hors-d'œuvre. Sandwich. Focaccia.
Tapas. Ham. Serrano. Prosciutto.
Seafood. Oysters. Clams.
Crab. Lobster. Caviar.
Cod. Tuna. Smoked Salmon.
Fried Chicken. Turkey. Pork.
Egg Dishes. Omelettte. Risotto.
Pasta. Ravioli. Macaroni with Cheese.
Asian Food. Springrolls.
Sushi. Sashimi.
Italian Specialities
Fritto Misto di Pesce (Deep Fried Fish).
Risotto ai Frutti di Mare (Risooto with Seafood).
Risotto with Asparagus.
White Fish (Sea Bass) with Polenta.
Lasagne with White Sauce.
The Ideal Glass for Alta Langa
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A Champagne Glass with a bell that points to the bottom, allows a pilar of bubbles to build up inside the glass. This is not only beautiful, but also extends the "life" of the champagne. A wide middle section lifts the aromas out of the wine. A smaller opening concentrates the scent to the nose and directs the drink to the front of the tongue where it heightens an experience of sweetness. |
Alta Langa Cheese Pairing
Mozzarella di Bufala
The fresh, milky sweetness and delicate texture of Mozzarella di Bufala is a perfect match for Alta Langa's crispness. Combine with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for an elegant Caprese-style presentation.
Brie
The creamy, buttery texture and mild earthy flavors of Brie complement Alta Langa's crisp acidity and fine bubbles. Serve the cheese at room temperature with a slice of baguette or fig jam.
Taleggio
The creamy, slightly tangy, and earthy qualities of Taleggio pair well with the bubbles and freshness. Serve with crusty bread and dried figs.
Goat Cheese (Chèvre)
The tangy, fresh flavors of goat cheese align perfectly with Blanc de Blancs, highlighting the wine's crisp minerality. Add fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.
Parmigiano-Reggiano
The nutty, salty, and umami-rich flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano harmonize with Alta Langa's brightness and complexity. Break the cheese into chunks and drizzle with a touch of acacia honey.
Robiola or Gorgonzola Dolce
The creamy, mild blue cheese contrasts beautifully with Franciacorta's acidity, balancing its richness. Add walnuts or pear slices for a classic pairing.
About Alta Langa
Italian Metodo Classico production started in Piemonte, close to France both geographically and historically.
The Italians copied the French Champagne production method using Chardonnay and Pinot Noir (Nero) as early as 1850.
In the 1970s, the sweet Asti Spumante was more popular than Metodo Classico wines, but in the 1990s, a group of serious producers started to produce quality bottle-fermented wines.
In 2002, Alta Langa got a DOC (Denominazione di Origine Controllata) for the Metodo Classico wine, and in 2011 it was added a DOCG:
Production Area: Asti. Alessandria. Cuneo.
Grapes: Minimum 90% Chardonnay and/or Pinot Nero.
Ageing: 30 months. Riserva: 36 months.
Italian Sparkling
In Italy, Sparkling wines are called Frizzante or Spumante.
| Frizzante Light bubbles (2.5 - 3.5 bars of pressure) |
Spumante Fully sparkling (4 - 6 bars of pressure) |
| Prosecco | Prosecco Spumante |
| Moscato d'Asti | Asti Spumante |
| Pignoletto Frizzante | Pignoletto Spumante |
| Lambrusco |
Italian Metodo Classico DOC(G)
Metodo Classico is the Italian name for wines produced the same way as Champagne.
| DOC(G) | Grapes |
|---|---|
| Trentodoc DOC (1993) | Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco |
| Franciacorta DOCG (1995) | Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero. |
| Greco di Tufo DOCG (2003) | Greco (main grape) |
| Oltrepò Pavese DOCG (2007) | Pinot Nero (main grape) |
| Alta Langa DOCG (2011) | Minimum 90 % Chardonnay + Pinot Nero |
Trentodoc was the first area in the world (after Champagne) to get a DOC for Traditional Method wines.