Alta Langa DOCG Brut Rosé Riserva Contessa Rosa 2019 Fontanafredda

What kind of wine is it

Alta Langa Brut Rosé Riserva Contessa Rosa by Fontanafredda is a Metodo Classico rosé made from Pinot Nero and Chardonnay grown in the Langhe. This sparkling wine displays a dry and precise style, with a fresh, elegant, and complex profile due to the extended lees contact. The bottle fermentation and prolonged aging bring creaminess, finesse to the perlage, and a structure suitable even for an entire meal. The main sensations are citrus and floral, supported by balanced acidity and good persistence.

Where it comes from

The grapes come from vineyards between Langa albese and Langa astigiana, in the heart of Piedmont, an area historically devoted to quality wines. The Alta Langa territory, with hills at medium and high altitudes and strong temperature shifts, fosters clear aromas and stable acidity. The calcareous-marl soils, with clay and sand, offer tasting tension and aromatic precision, supporting a linear and long-lasting Brut rosé profile.

How it is produced

Harvest starts in September with manual picking to preserve the integrity of the bunches. After pressing and vinification, fermentations take place at controlled temperatures to maintain aromatic freshness. The delicate color comes from brief contact with the Pinot Nero skins. The secondary fermentation follows the Metodo Classico with bottle refermentation, then aging on the lees for about 60 months, adding complexity, creaminess, and persistence.

Tasting notes

Pale pink color with onion-skin reflections and a crown of fine, continuous bubbles. On the nose, orange blossom, pomegranate, and black plum emerge, with hints of ginger and nutmeg and reminders of lavender. On the palate, it is fine, taut, and persistent, with balanced acidity and a creamy sensation from lees aging. The finish is clean, with returns of citrus and a long, orderly aftertaste.

Food pairings

Ideal as an aperitif, its structure and precision make it a great companion for an entire meal. Pairs well with raw fish, shellfish, carpaccio, and dishes with citrus or spicy notes, as well as delicate cured meats and soft cheeses. In Piedmontese tradition, it matches vitello tonnato and tajarin with butter and truffle, where the acidity cleanses the palate and the creaminess supports persistence. Also excellent with sushi and moderately spicy Asian cuisine.

When to serve

Perfect for social occasions and moments when you seek a dry and versatile Metodo Classico rosé. Serve it chilled, between 8 and 10°C, in a tulip glass to enhance its aromas and the finesse of its bubbles. The long lees aging provides solidity and allows for positive evolution in the bottle, balancing freshness and complexity. Suitable for immediate enjoyment and also for a few years of aging, when spicy and pastry notes become more pronounced.