Vanessa

9.2

One of our favorite wine discoveries from a recent trip to Piemonte, Italy was the Alta Langa DOCG.

Alta Langa is a quality spumante (fully sparkling) wine made in the “traditional method” (metodo classico), modeled on the champagne method. It was the first region in Italy to make traditional method wine, starting in the mid-1800s, and became recognized as a DOC in 2002 and a DOCG in 2011.

Alta Langa wines are subject to rigorous legal parameters; for example, they must always:
--be vintage
--be brut or non-dosage (so dry!)
--undergo a minimum of 30 months aging and longer for “Riserva” wines
--be made in a white or rosé stye
--use only Chardonnay and/or Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero) grapes from a delimited production zone

Here is a bottle we brought home from our visit to Coppo: it’s the 2009 Piero Coppo, Riserva del Fondatore, made with 60 % Pinot Nero & 40% Chardonnay.

It matured 9 months on the fine lees in French oak barrels before the second fermentation; and spent another 99 months sur lie in the bottle before disgorgement, lending layers of autolytic and savory characteristics & a creamy texture with a fine, well-integrated mousse.

It’s an excellent wine capable of aging for decades. — a month ago

with Deked1

Michael Doherty

9.6

Fantastic and fresh. On a hot evening just perfect — 5 years ago

Maggie Harrison

8.9

2013 Vintage. clear, golden color. red apple, underripe pear at first then becoming like apple pie on the nose. fine mousse, persistent and steady. Red apple, bosc pear, hints of lemon curd flavors. Not particularly yeasty but has a richness of flavor. medium long finish. balanced. well made. Too good for my sunday afternoon casual enjoyment. or is it?! — 6 years ago

DAL 9000

9.0

Big big bouquet! Soft and delicate upfront. Dried dark fruit -mild- that ends with a long lasting but mild earthiness. — 3 months ago

Severn Goodwin

8.9

2007 | Metodo Classico, Rosé (Extra Brut)
Ferrari; Riserva del Fondatore Giulio Ferrari
Trentino, Italy — 2 years ago

Kate

9.0

Smells and tastes delicious — 5 years ago

Jakub Kalinowski

9.4

Blend of 20% Riservas from Sasella, Grumello, Inferno and Valgela with 20% Sfursat.
Amazingly complex nose full of cherries, lilies, spices, leather, herbs, a whiff of mint. Very youthful and without any evolved aromas. Midweight on the palate with impeccable balance, juicy acidity, a still firm, dusty tannic grip and a finish that goes on and on. Wow! What a wine. — 7 years ago

Erik S

10

A Blessing a hot summer day. Perfect on its own or in company of cold cuts, pasta etc. — 8 months ago

Jay Kline

9.4

Popped and poured; no formal notes. Bright golden color; persistent mousse; lemon citrus, meringue, brioche for dayzzz. Fantastic acid. Long finish. Gastronomic bubbles but so good it can be enjoyed on its own. This is far and away the greatest sparkling wine I’ve yet had from Italy. A wow wine. Too bad it’s priced like tête de cuvée Champagne. Regardless, whenever someone is pouring it, you should shift your attention to this. “I know I would. Heck, I’d go back for seconds!” Drink now or over the next 10+ years. — 2 years ago

Darren Stevens

9.0

Tim’s Wine club $49. Club wine. — 5 years ago