Alta Villa The Countryhouse is situated in Piedmont,  one of Italy’s most acclaimed wine growing regions. Located in northwest Italy it is the home of more DOCG wines than any other Italian region, among them such well-known and respected names such as Barolo, Barbaresco, and Barbera d'Asti.When wine geeks think of Piedmont, they immediately think of Barolo and Barbaresco, which are famous for their Nebbiolo-based wines. Surprisingly, Barolo and Barbaresco only account for 3% of Piedmont’s production.

Our region is famous for its Barbera

At Alta Villa we have specialised in picking the finest products to bear the brand name and private registered label: “Alta Villa”. After having attended AIS Sommelier classes and worked together with famous wine-makers, we boast the knowledge of being experts in picking an exclusive, bespoken wine for our sophisticated international client. We are proud of the fact that we are independent and thus have the unique privilege of being flexible in choosing from harvest to harvest the best product we consider worthy of bearing our name. This is important seen the geographic difference in climate conditions which vary even within very short distances such as 10/20 km. Every season we set out to test the best possible products in our noble area. We select approximately 10 wines and insert them in our “short-list”, then refine the research until we come up with the three finalists, which we then submit to the approval of renowned international wine-makers such as Gianfranco Cordero, Alberto Cugnetto and other top-notch oenologists with years of experience. We are proud to present our Alta Villa Barbera Superiore 2015 - and what a superb vintage this is. 

Barbera

First, there are only two DOCGs for Barbera: Barbera d’Asti and Barbera del Monferrato Superiore and most recently Barbera Nizza. The DOCG wines have more regulations “Superiore”  labeled wines which include longer aging and a higher minimum alcohol content.

Barbera is the most planted variety in Piedmont and it’s what you’ll often find the locals drinking. Great wines of Barbera deliver aromas of red and black fruit (particularly raspberries, lingonberries, and blackberries), supported by velvety tannins and a spicy finish. The wines are often oaked to deliver richer, opulent fruit flavours, but most everyday Barberas are medium-bodied with a touch of spicy-earthy terroir.

Alta Villa Spumante - Bubbly Piedmont*

Italy's sparkling wine tradition started precisely here, therefore sparkling wines are famous in this area. Also known as Bollicine (bubbles!), Spumante in Piedmont has a long tradition - far longer than its more well-known counterpart produced in northeast of Italy (Veneto).  So now following our criteria, we have chosen a fresh Spumante created especially for Alta Villa, a blend of Chardonnay and Cortese,  do ask us for more information. CinCin (cheers) as we say.

Hampers are our new entry:  "From Piedmont with Love" not just truffles

Our goodies consist in artisan hand picked products which can be ordered either à la carte (from our list - ask us), or by choosing from 3 different types of Hamper Boxes. We ship directly to your doorstep. Amongst many delicious products, we are also looking into artisan pasta and respective piedmont sauces which can easily be shipped upon request. Also don't forget the famous tuber magnatum pico also known as White Truffle we have a special overnight delivery. Let us spoil you at home.

 

*Here some important information regarding our sparkling wines: Piemonte’s sparkling wines are exceptional and integral to the history of spumante in all of Italy. In fact, did you know that Italian spumante started in Piemonte? Read on for more essential info and fun facts — there is more than meets the eye with the bubbles of northwestern Italy.

1) Not all spumante is Prosecco.

Let’s get this straight: Prosecco is the appellation for a sparkling, dry white wine made in the Veneto and Friuli Venezia Giulia, while “spumante” refers to a type of wine: sparkling wine produced using the Charmat-Martinotti method.

2) Sparkling wines are made in two ways in Piemonte: Charmat or Martinotti method, and champenoise or Metodo Classico.

Both styles undergo two stages of fermentation to produce bubbles; it’s the second stage that marks the difference between the two.

The Charmat or Martinotti method: With this style, wine undergoes secondary fermentation in stainless steel autoclaves and is bottled under pressure. This takes less time and is less costly than the Metodo Classico, and is attractive to producers for the possibility of immediate sales. It is also known as the Martinotti method, because the Italian Federico Martinotti first invented and patented this technique in Piemonte in 1895; later, it was adapted for industrial production by the French Eugène Charmat in 1907.

Champenoise or Metodo Classico: Also known as the “traditional method,” this requires second fermentation to take place in the bottle, which is a more costly and resource-heavy investment. The producer needs greater storage space for a longer time: during fermentation, aging after fermentation on the lees (dead yeast), and aging for at least another year after disgorgement (removing the lees).

Italy’s first sparkling wine is from Piemonte.

In the 1850’s, Carlo Gancia visited Champagne, where he was so enamored with their sparkling wines that he returned to produce his own from Moscato. It was Italy’s first sparkling wine. Carlo Gancia, aside from making Italy’s first sparkling wine, also played a pivotal role in spreading Pinot Nero and Chardonnay, whose vines were brought back by the Count Emilio Balbo Bertone de Sambuy and Filippo Asinari of the Ministry of Savoy, respectively, a bit earlier in the 19th century. The vines’ roots found the soil of Piemonte very favourable.