Alta Langa: the bubbles from Piedmont

TURINE Official debut of the event was Monday, March 10, at the Lavazza Nuvola in Turin, for Alta Langa Docg, which has been named Wine of the Year 2025 by the Piedmont region. As many as 1,700 enthusiasts showed up for the tastings. The event took place as part of the seventh edition of La Prima dell'Alta Langa, with tastings of more than 200 cuvées of Piedmont's Metodo Classico sparkling wine.

Paolo Bongioanni, Piedmont Region councilor for commerce, agriculture and food, hunting and fishing, and parks, explained the choice: "The Alta Langa represents the success of a challenge that began in 1993 with the first experimental hectares, awarded by the DOCG in 2002, and in constant growth because it has focused on quality, which is what the markets demand of Piedmont. All conditions are present for the justified expectations of further, great expansion of this extraordinary wine.

Alta Langa Docg is the oldest classical method in Italy, born in Piedmont in the mid-19th century. It is also the only Piedmontese appellation entirely dedicated to the classical method, the result of a long experiment that began in the 1990s. An ambitious path in which the Piedmont region played a leading role, supporting the wineries producing bubbles and the first, bold winemakers who believed in this challenge. The foresight and pride of the Piedmont have led to the creation of a classic sparkling wine of the highest quality, capable of fully expressing the extraordinary potential of an area spanning three provinces, Asti, Cuneo and Alessandria, for which the Consortium feels a strong responsibility. Alta Langa Docg was not just a new wine: it was a vision, a project and above all a bet won, one that makes all Piedmontese proud. Today we can say it more than ever: Alta Langa Docg, pride of Piedmont.

The classic sparkling wine of Piedmont will be highlighted throughout the year at events such as Vinitaly in Verona on the program, Risò in Vercelli, Cheese in Bra, Casa gusto on the occasion of the Atp final in Turin and many other events to be added, as well as in all the promotional activities organized by the Alta Langa Consortium.

And another big revolution is on the way. The possibility for wine producers to put, on a voluntary basis, the extended geographical indication "Piedmont" on the label: a promotion of the territory that can potentially count on the 250 million bottles of Piedmontese wine going around the world.

The Alta Langhe project will be accompanied by a coordinated graphic design that makes the recognition clear to the public: a label with the logo "Alta Langa Docg Vino dell'Anno 2025 Regione Piemonte," specially designed by the Consorzio Alta Langa, will appear on the representative bottles, and individual producers can voluntarily insert it themselves.

Alta Langa Docg, Italy's first classic method.

The designations of origin for wine products in Piedmont include 19 Docg wines and 41 Doc wines, traditional specific terms used by Italy to designate wine products with a PDO - Protected Designation of Origin - as regulated by the European Community.

Alta Langa Docg is the classic sparkling wine from Piedmont. It is a designation of limited production, with a very long history: it was the first classic method produced in Italy, in the mid-19th century, in the "underground cathedrals" of Canelli, now a Unesco World Heritage Site.

It is made from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, alone or together in different percentages; it is exclusively vintage, that is, it always carries the year of harvest on the label; it can be white or rosé, brut or dosage zero, and has a very long aging on the lees, as envisioned by the strict production rules (at least 30 months).

Alta Langa Bianco has straw yellow to intense golden hues and aromas reminiscent of white fruits and citrus with hints of bread crust. On the palate, it is harmonious and characterized by a delicate juiciness. Alta Langa rosé has a powdery pink color, or more pronounced when young, the aromatic intensity typical of pinot noir, with aromas ranging from grapefruit to spices, and a balanced, ample and long palate in which the characteristic savory character of Alta Langa Docg can be found.

The area of origin of the sparkling wine Alta Langa Docg is located in the hilly strip of Basso Piemonte to the right of the Tanaro River and includes 149 municipalities in the provinces of Asti, Alessandria and Cuneo. The hilly terrain on which Pinot Nero and Chardonnay vines are grown must be marl, calcareous and clayey, with medium fertility. Vineyards may only be located on slopes, the minimum altitude must be 250 meters above sea level, and valley floor and moist soils are prohibited.

According to regulations, each vineyard must consist of at least 4,000 vines per hectare (10,000 square meters). Grape production must not exceed 11 tons per hectare and the must yield of all press fractions must be less than 65%, obtaining only the portion derived from the pulp.

Today we present to you the Alta Langa of Ivaldi Dario from Nizza Monferrato. Link website Made In Piedmont Wines - Alta Langa Andrea