There is one particularly significant feature that distinguishes Alta Langa from other traditional method appellations: the vintage requirement. For these two new cuvées, Espressione Bianc 2018 and Espressione Noir 2018, Cocchi has worked to fully interpret the strength and character of the 2018 vintage expressed in the purity of the two Alta Langa grape varieties, 100% Chardonnay for Espressione Bianc and 100% Pinot Noir for Espressione Noir

2018 CLIMATIC TREND

2018 is remembered in Piedmont for being the second warmest year in the last 61, with an average temperature anomaly of around +1.6 °C compared to the climate data available for 1971-2000. It was particularly the minimum temperatures that were the hottest over the whole period (figures provided by Arpa Piemonte).

The contribution of rainfall was important in this situation from a viticultural point of view, with an average of around 1400 mm across the region and a rainfall surplus of 32% compared to 1971-2000.

The winter season lasted until the beginning of March, with temperatures below average, leading to the slow and gradual vegetative recovery of the vines.

The flowering and subsequent fruit set were normal and took place in optimal climatic conditions. The flowering and subsequent fruit set were normal and took place in optimal climatic conditions. Temperatures rose noticeably from mid-July without, however, bringing forward the harvest, which began on the morning of 31 August. This climatic trend made it possible to obtain base wines with good aromatic density and balanced acidic freshness, thanks partly to the full completion of malolactic fermentation for Espressione Bianc 2018.

VINIFICATION AND SPARKLING PROCESS:

• Harvested entirely by hand.
• Malolactic fermentation, completed only for Espressione Bianc 2018.
• No reserve wine: only grapes from the 2018 vintage, for a pure and faithful expression of the vintage.
• Brut Nature: 0 g/L sugars to bring out the transparency of the terroir.
• Five years’ ageing in the cellar: a slow and meticulous process for wines with a complex structure and unique elegance.
• To give the wine time to restore its balance after dégorgement, the bottles spend at least another ten months in the cellar before being released for sale.
• Limited production: 6478 bottles and 150 magnums for each cuvée.
• Two interpretations of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir, by oenologist Paolo Bava.

“We wanted to give a profound identity to these two new Cocchi labels based on the vintage, confident that we will be able to create a different and exciting wine for each vintage, given that the vintage requirement is one of the characteristics that distinguishes the Alta Langa appellation. This is a project that we believe in so strongly that we already have six different vintages in the cellar ready to lend continuity to this dream, one after the other” says Paolo Bava.

The grapes were harvested entirely by hand to respect their integrity; the must was selected from the pressing with a 50% yield and, when the alcoholic fermentation was complete, Espressione Bianc underwent complete malolactic fermentation. After the tirage in the following spring, in April 2019, both wines spent 60 months (five years) ageing on lees. After dégorgement, the bottles were left to rest for several months longer in the cellar (10 months) to give the wines a chance to recreate their balance before being released for sale.

ZERO ADDED SUGARS FOR INTENSE AROMAS

Zero dosage enhances the natural acidity of the grapes and brings out the varietal characters of the Alta Langa Chardonnay and Pinot Noir used in the 2018 vintage.

Espressione Bianc 2018: a wine with a rich and full golden colour. The seductive opening aromas of smoke and toasted yeast soon give way to mashed banana, citron and lemon jam, and fresh mango. Aromas of jasmine, almond milk, white musk and hazelnut leaf lend complexity and layer the palate. The structure is compact and enveloping, with great density of fruit and crispness. The finish is balsamic with a smoky touch of toasted almonds and white spices. A fine and intriguing sparkle.

Espressione Noir 2018: the extended aging on the lees highlights the dense and complex texture of the finest pure Pinot Noir, revealing delicate hues of golden narcissus yellow with subtle green reflections, uniformly distributed throughout the glass, and featuring the finest bubbles.

The aromas are elegant and expansive: the initial impression is broad, with fresh hazelnut, walnut husk, concentrated lemon and citron, complemented by a medley of white-fleshed fruit and persistent saline notes.

On the palate, there is pronounced savoriness and the dry character typical of a pas dosé, offering a fresh, defined, and lingering taste that recalls Langhe hazelnuts and candied white fruits, all while maintaining excellent balance with subtle acidic tones.

NEWLY BORN WINES WITH A PIONEERING HERITAGE

Since taking its first steps in the world of Alta Langa, at the beginning of the experimental project that led to the creation of the appellation in the 1990s, Cocchi has made innovation and quality its flag. The winery was among the first to believe in the potential of this appellation, with a visionary approach. Today, the result of these investments translates into cuvées that fully express the unique characteristics of the Alta Langa terroir and continue to win worldwide recognition.

COCCHI AND ALTA LANGA DOCG: A STORY OF COMMITMENT AND RECORDS

Cocchi stands out not only for the quality of its wines, but also for its constant pursuit of excellence. Each new cuvée represents another step forward in the close relationship between Cocchi and the Alta Langa appellation: Cocchi was the first winery to release an Alta Langa wine made exclusively from Chardonnay grapes (Bianc ‘d Bianc), the first vintage being 2000, and also the first to release a rosé wine (Rösa) in the same year. It was even the first to launch an Alta Langa Grappa, in 2019.

“Cocchi continues to be proud of its absolute loyalty to the appellation, its perfect compliance with particularly strict production regulations, which allow the production of vintage wines only, as the expression of a single harvest that is indicated on the label; these regulations impose the ageing of this traditional method sparkling wine for at least 30 months, and Cocchi goes one step further, releasing cuvées that rest at least an extra year on lees in addition to the 30 months required”.

The new Alta Langa wines by Cocchi are available on the market starting January 2025. Espressione Bianc 2018 has already been awarded the Top Wine accolade in the Slow Wine Guide 2025, while Espressione Noir 2018 earned the Gold Seal at the WineHunter Award.