In a prelude to the most romantic of days, we thought great sparkling wine would 
be a delicious theme, and the wines of Contratto exceed expectations of any lover of Champagnes. It certainly did mine. This is the oldest producer of sparkling wine in Italy, having been founded in 1867 by Giuseppe Contratto. Their "Methodo Classico" 1919 Contratto Extra Brut was in fact the first vintage sparkling wine ever made in Italy. In 1993, after 126 years in the family, it was sold to grappa producer Carlo Bocchino who invested considerably in both the deep (up to 32 meters underground) limestone cellars, as well as the warehouses, courtyard and winery facade. In 2011 Giorgio Rivetti, of La Spinetta fame, and an enormous fan of great Champagne, purchased the winery and took the reins. These are serious, vinous wines made from Pinot Nero and Chardonnay grown in the Oltrepo Pavese of south Lombardy.
