Contratto Brut Rose "For England" Alta Langa DOCG 2018
(Piedmont, Italy) - [WA 93] [JS 93] [WE 92]

About the Winery:
Contratto was founded in 1867 in Canelli, the heart of a prestigious wine producing area. The company always had a reputation as one of Italy's premier Brut sparkling wine producers.

According to Antonio Galloni, "One of Italy's most historic houses, Contratto was exporting sparkling wines to England and other countries back in the 1920s. After a long period of near obscurity, Contratto has been revitalized by new ownership headed by Giorgio Rivetti of La Spinetta. Rivetti has a huge passion for Champagne," making it a natural fit.

About the Wine:
For England, a sparkling wine initially produced to delight the driest palates in the British market, today is available in two beautiful expressions of Pinot Noir: Blanc de Noir and Rosé. The salmon pink color of For England Rosé reflects its extreme elegance. Its aromas are precise, with hints of citrus peel and marzipan. On the palate it is intense and well-structured, with notes of peach and thyme. The perlage is creamy and persistent.

Vineyard: Bossolasco

100% Pinot Nero

Vinification: Destemming and soft pressing, without pressing the grapes, only the best and most balanced juice from our grapes, the flower must. The must remains briefly in contact with the grape’s skin in order to obtain a light salmon pink color. First fermentation in temperature-controlled stainless steel tanks followed by about 9 months of aging. Second fermentation followed by at least 36 months on lees. Riddling is done by hand for about 18 days.

Tasting Notes
For England Rose is a nicely dry, delicious wine with red fruits and a color that just hints at rose. A lovely acidity and a great complexity complete the serious and highly enjoyable sparkling wine, that apart from making for a great aperitif, also may accompany many meals.

Ratings & Reviews

93 Points - Wine Advocate:
"With lively and very active beading, the Contratto 2018 Alta Langa Metodo Classico Rosé Pas Dosé For England reveals a pinkish copper hue with steady foam. The bouquet offers citrus, pink grapefruit, unripe peach and crushed stone. As it opens in the glass, you also get faint tones of sweet breakfast pastry. These results are elegant and silky." - Monica Larner (Aug 2023)

93 Points - James Suckling:
"This has a richer, peach-pink color with a copper hue to it offering ripe peaches, cooked apples, pastry crust and toffee. Tense and mineral on the palate with creamy mousse and tangy acidity that gives it crunchiness and verticality. Long finish. Drink or hold." (Aug 2023)

92 Points - Wine Enthusiast:
"Loads of citrus, leaning toward bitter orange and ruby red grapefruit, emerge from this wine. The palate is tart and zippy, with a touch of green guava candy, bright acidity and great structure finishing with a tight and persistent perlage." - Jeff Porter (Dec 2023)