Contratto Cuvee 'Novecento' Metodo Classico Spumante Pas Dose, Lombardy, Italy

Deep beneath the rolling hills of northern Italy, in candlelit cellars carved into limestone more than a century ago, Contratto quietly perfects one of Italy’s most historic sparkling wines. The Cuvée Novecento Pas Dosé is a tribute to precision and patience, a sparkling wine shaped not by sweetness, but by time, structure, and restraint. Every element speaks softly but with authority, revealing elegance born from tradition rather than excess.

Product Details:

• Grape Variety: 100% Pinot Noir
• Style: Sparkling Wine – Pas Dosé (Zero Dosage)
• Method: Traditional Method (Metodo Classico)
• ABV: 12.5%
• Farming Practices: Sustainable viticulture
• Soil Type: Limestone-rich, mineral-driven soils
• Fermentation: Primary fermentation in stainless steel; secondary fermentation in bottle
• Aging: Extended aging on lees in historic underground cellars
• Dosage: None (Pas Dosé)
• Production Quantity: Limited, long-aged release

Sensory Description:

The Cuvée Novecento opens with refined aromas of citrus peel, white cherry, toasted brioche, and crushed stone. On the palate, it is taut and focused, offering flavors of lemon zest, green apple skin, and subtle red berry notes layered with almond, chalk, and savory pastry. The mousse is fine and persistent, lending texture without weight, while the absence of dosage highlights the wine’s mineral core and long, saline finish. Precise, structured, and quietly powerful, it is a sparkling wine built for contemplation as much as celebration.

Winemaker’s Background:

Founded in 1867, Contratto is one of Italy’s most historically significant sparkling wine producers and a pioneer of the Traditional Method in the country. Famous for their UNESCO-recognized underground cellars and uncompromising focus on long lees aging, Contratto produces wines of finesse, longevity, and classical balance. Today, the house continues to honor its heritage while crafting some of Italy’s most refined, terroir-driven sparkling wines.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well chilled at 6–8°C (43–46°F) in a tulip or white wine glass to fully express its aromatics. Ideal with oysters, crudo, fried seafood, or aged hard cheeses, and exceptional alongside simple, elegant dishes that allow its mineral precision to shine.

Pure, disciplined, and enduringly elegant, Contratto Cuvée Novecento Metodo Classico Pas Dosé is a masterclass in restraint, a sparkling wine where time, stone, and craftsmanship speak louder than sweetness ever could.