What kind of wine is Alta Langa Extra Brut DOCG Millesimato Metodo Classico 2021 - Marcalberto

The Alta Langa Extra Brut DOCG Millesimato Metodo Classico 2021 - Marcalberto is an extremely elegant Piedmontese sparkling wine, produced on the Alta Langa hills, between the provinces of Cuneo, Asti, and Alessandria. It originates from a perfect terroir for cultivating Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grapes, the main protagonists of this denomination. It is made using the Metodo Classico, the same method employed for Champagne, which involves a second fermentation in the bottle and a long aging on the lees. Its style is Extra Brut, hence dry, mineral, and distinctly fresh, perfect for those who love refined and authentically characterful bubbles.

Vintage details

The 2021 harvest took place in the last ten days of August, with strictly manual harvesting to preserve the integrity of the bunches. The vintage was characterized by a regular climate, with warm days and cool nights that favored a slow and complete ripening, yielding healthy, aromatic grapes.

Vinification and aging

After a gentle whole-bunch pressing, the must ferments partly in stainless steel tanks and partly in French oak barriques, a choice that gives complexity and depth to the wine. The prise de mousse, or second fermentation in the bottle, occurs without filtration or fining, following the Metodo Classico tradition. After a long period of aging on the lees, necessary to develop finesse and creaminess, the wine is dosed extra brut, with a very low residual sugar, to enhance the natural purity and elegance of the terroir.

Tasting Notes

Color

In the glass, the Alta Langa Extra Brut DOCG Millesimato Metodo Classico 2021 - Marcalberto presents itself with a luminous straw yellow traversed by golden reflections. The perlage is fine, persistent, and regular, a distinctive sign of long bottle aging.

Nose

The nose opens with delicate and precise aromas: notes of green apple, citrus, white flowers, and nuances of bread crust, typical of aging on the lees. With oxygenation, slight hints of hazelnut and vanilla also emerge, lending complexity and harmony.

Palate

On the palate, it is fresh and vibrant, with fine bubbles supporting an elegant and persistent gustatory texture. The pronounced acidity provides tension and momentum, balanced by a delicate creaminess and a dry, mineral finish. It is a balanced and very gastronomic sip, ideal for accompanying a thousand occasions.

Food pairings for Alta Langa Extra Brut DOCG Millesimato Metodo Classico 2021 - Marcalberto

This Extra Brut sparkling wine pairs splendidly with a wide range of dishes thanks to its freshness and elegant structure. Perfect as an aperitif, it finds its maximum expression at the table with:

• seafood crudités and fish tartare;
• sushi, sashimi, and light Asian cuisine dishes;
• crustacean appetizers and fish-based first courses;
• fresh or soft cheeses such as robiola and crescenza.

Also excellent with delicate white meats or to accompany the entire meal for those who love elegant and never intrusive bubbles.

Storage and aging: how to store Alta Langa Extra Brut DOCG Millesimato Metodo Classico 2021 - Marcalberto wine

To preserve the freshness and fragrance of this sparkling wine, it is important to store it in a cool place, away from light and heat sources, keeping the bottle horizontally to keep the cork moist. The Alta Langa Extra Brut DOCG Millesimato Metodo Classico 2021 - Marcalberto is designed to be enjoyed young, ideally within 2-3 years of disgorgement, a period in which it best expresses its vibrant freshness and subtle fruity notes.