Alta Langa

DOCG since 2011 · bottle fermentation

Alta Langa is a Piedmont DOCG for vintage-dated, bottle-fermented sparkling wine made at least 90% from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay grown at 250 m or higher.1 It requires at least 30 months on lees, 36 for Riserva.1

Status

Alta Langa became a DOC in 2002 and a DOCG in 2011.1 The text used here was last amended by ministerial decree of 13 October 2014. A 2025 notice from Regione Piemonte proposes one change only: optional use of the word "Piemonte" on labels (art. 7).1,2

Zone

The zone covers hill municipalities in three provinces, Alessandria, Asti and Cuneo; the disciplinare lists about 148 of them.1 Vineyards must stand at least 250 m above sea level.1

Types and grapes

There are two types: Alta Langa spumante and Alta Langa spumante rosato, each with a Riserva version.1 Both are made from Pinot Noir (Pinot nero) and/or Chardonnay for 90-100% of the blend. Other non-aromatic varieties suitable for Piedmont may make up to 10%.1

Method and ageing

The second fermentation takes place in the bottle (metodo classico).1 See traditional method. Ageing is counted from the start of the bottle fermentation.1

CategoryMinimum on lees
Alta Langa, Alta Langa rosato30 months
Riserva36 months

The vintage year must appear on every bottle, so there is no non-vintage Alta Langa.1 This sets it apart from most other Italian traditional-method appellations, where the vintage is optional. See vintage sparkling wine.

Dosage

Sweeter categories are excluded: Demi-sec, Sec and Dolce are not allowed.1 Wines are therefore labelled in the drier part of the sugar scale.

Yield

The maximum grape yield is 11 t/ha.1

No official production volume or vineyard area was verified for this page.

Italian traditional-method appellations compared

AppellationBasic minimum on leesVintageRiserva
Trento15 months324 months336 months3
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico15 months424 months4Not defined4
Franciacorta18 months530 months560 months5
Alta Langa30 months, always vintage130 months136 months1

See also

ItalyRegionsAstiRegionsFranciacortaRegionsTraditional methodMethodsPinot NoirGrapesChardonnayGrapesVintage (millésime)Styles

Sources

  1. Regione Piemonte. Disciplinare di produzione DOCG Alta Langa (last mod. DM 13.10.2014) (2014-10-13)
  2. Regione Piemonte. Comunicato BU38 2025: proposed amendment to art. 7 of eight Piedmont DOCG specifications (use of 'Piemonte') (2025-09-18)
  3. Camera di Commercio di Trento (control body). Disciplinare di produzione DOC Trento (last amended 30.11.2011) (2011-11-30)
  4. AIS (reproduction of MASAF disciplinare). Disciplinare di produzione DOCG Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico (last mod. DM 07.03.2014) (2014-03-07)
  5. AIS (reproduction of MASAF disciplinare). Disciplinare di produzione DOCG Franciacorta (last mod. DM 07.05.2024, GU 114 17.05.2024) (2024-05-07)

Facts checked on 2026-10-19