"145 years of champagne-style wines"
Giuseppe Contratto founded Contratto in 1867. This beautiful Estate was in the family's hands for 126 years.
In
1993,
Carlo
Bocchino
purchased
the
property.
The
historical
cellars
underwent
substantial
renovations.
In
2011,
Giorgio
Rivetti
and
the
team
of
La
Spinetta
were
able
to
take
ownership
of
this
understated
jewel
with
the
goal
of
reviving
Contratto
to
its
former
glory.
The
winery
has
a
long,
distinguished
history.
Contratto
is
the
oldest
producer
of
sparkling
wine
in
Italy.
In
fact
the
1919
Contratto
Extra
Brut
was
the
first
vintage
"Metodo
Classico"
sparkling
wine
ever
made
in
the
country!
At
the
turn
of
the
20th
century,
Contratto's
wines
were
one
of
the
premier
sources
of
sparkling
wine
in
Royal
houses
around
the
world.
Contratto
was
the
personal
supplier
to
the
Vatican,
as
well
as
the
Italian
royal
family.
The
historical
Estate
has
breathtaking
cellars
carved
into
the
tufa
limestone
hillside
that
2
protects
the
small
town
of
Canelli.
These
cathedral
cellars
are
among
the
finest
of
their
kind,
excavated
at
a
depth
of
32
meters.
The
cellars
maintain
a
constant
annual
temperature
of
12°C
and
sufficient
natural
humidity.
This
ideal
environment
for
bottle
fermentation
and
maturation
helps
Contratto
to
craft
wines
of
purity
and
complexity.
Over
the
course
of
its
150--‐year
history
of
winemaking,
Contratto
has
produced
Moscato,
Barolo,
Spumante
Metodo
Classico,
Vermouths,
tonics,
and
more!
Today,
Contratto
produces
only
traditional
method
sparkling
wine
under
the
watchful
eye
of
Giorgio
Rivetti,
and
his
talented
son,
Andrea.
While
La
Spinetta
has
only
owned
the
Estate
since
Spring
2011,
Giorgio
and
Andrea
have
been
secretly
making
the
Metodo
Classico
wines
since
2007
with
Pinot
Noir
and
Chardonnay
grapes
from
Oltrepo
Pavese.
Thus,
the
inaugural
releases
of
Contratto
Metodo
Classico
are
all
the
products
of
this
talented
father-son
team.
www.contratto.it
List of wines
The
Millesimato
Brut
is
80%
Pinot
Noir
and
20%
Chardonnay.
The
wine
spends
almost
four
years
on
the
yeasts
before
disgorgement
and
is
finished
with
a
dosage
of
5g/l.
Millesimato
shows
aromas
of
white-fleshed
fruits,
flowers,
and
almonds
with
a
complex
and
powerful
Bacco
d'Oro
is
80%
Pinot
Noir
and
20%
Chardonnay.
After
three
years
on
the
yeasts,
the
wine
is
finished
with
10g/l
dosage
after
disgorgement.
A
classically
styled
Brut,
Bacco
d'Oro
has
a
beautiful
nose
and
palate
of
tangerines
and
clementines,
acacia
blossom,
and
"For
England"
is
a
wine
that
was
made
to
sate
the
"dry"
palates
of
the
British
market.
The
Extra
Brut
is
80%
Pinot
Noir
and
20%
Chardonnay.
It
spends
four
years
sur
latte
before
being
disgorged.
As
the
name
implies,
the
wine
sees
zero
dosage.
The
nose
is
reminiscent
of
baked
apples
and
ginger.
The
palate
is
crisp
and
sublime
with
a
long,
finessed
"For
England"
is
a
wine
that
was
made
to
sate
the
"dry"
palates
of
the
British
market.
The
Rosé
is
100%
Pinot
Noir.
It
is
made
in
the
saignée
method.
After
four
years
on
the
lees,
the
wine
is
disgorged
and
finished
with
2g/l
dosage.
The
nose
is
very
fresh
with
tiny
red
fruits,
aniseed,
rose,
and
hazelnut.
The
palate
is
elegant
and
round
mingling
with
apricot
and
orange.
Contratto
Blanc
de
Blancs
is
100%
Chardonnay.
It
rested
on
the
lees,
sur
latte,
or
three
years.
Upon
disgorgement,
the
wine
was
finished
with
1g/l
dosage.
Blanc
de
Blancs
has
delightful
aromas
of
pear,
kumquats,
and
linden
flowers.
It
is
powerful
yet
refined
on
the
palate,
the
citrus
combining
with
brioche
and
mineral
for
a
long
finish.
Moscato
de
Miranda
is
100%
Moscato
made
in
the
traditional
method
from
old
vines
in
the
hills
of
Canelli.
After
bottle
fermentation,
the
Moscato
rests
on
the
lees
for
four
years
with
no
dosage.
The
wine
naturally
has
a
delicate
sweetness.
Aromas
of
fresh,
grapey
Moscato,
peaches,
honey,
and
mineral
make
this
delightfully
complex
wine
sheer
pleasure!
