Producer
Contratto
Contratto is a historic Piedmontese producer based in Canelli (AT), known for its Metodo Classico sparkling wines and for a range of vermouths, aperitifs and liqueurs made with natural botanical extracts.
- Canelli · Piedmont · Italy
- Since 1867
- 21 products
The story
Founded in Canelli in 1867 by Giuseppe Contratto, the company began as a cellar producing Moscato and was among the first in Italy to practice the Metodo Classico for sparkling wines. From the first half of the twentieth century the company also developed recipes for vermouth and liqueurs; production of vermouth and liqueurs is documented from the 1920s/1930s. In the 1990s/2000s management passed to the Bocchino family and was later acquired by the Rivetti family (La Spinetta) in 2011, which relaunched the brand while maintaining its historic references and Metodo Classico production.
Production philosophy
An approach that combines tradition and local raw materials: enhancing the Metodo Classico for sparkling wines and using natural extracts of herbs and spices for vermouths and liqueurs, favoring traditional extraction methods and natural colorants when needed.
Territory
Canelli (Asti), Monferrato, Piedmont, Italy
Awards and recognition
San Francisco World Spirits Competition 2023: Contratto Aperitif (Double Gold), Contratto Bitter (Gold).
Production method
For vermouths and liqueurs Contratto uses mechanical crushing of the botanicals and cold extraction via an hydroalcoholic solution (maceration times indicated at ~20 to ~35 days depending on the product). Extracts are then blended with wine, alcohol and sugar, chilled, filtered to remove solid residues and aged in stainless steel tanks (about 40 days indicated on product sheets). Some products are colored with natural carrot and beet extracts or with natural caramel.
Ageing
Aging in stainless steel tanks (about 40 days for products based on extracts); botanical extraction times vary (indicated between about 20 and 35 days depending on the product).
Characteristics
- Type
- Producer
- City
- Canelli
- Categories
- Piedmontese vermouth
- amari and aperitifs
- herbal liqueurs
- Metodo Classico sparkling wines
- producer of vermouth and aperitifs
- Raw materials
- Cortese wine (base for vermouth)
- alcohol
- water
- sugar (beet)
- herbs and spices (botanicals)
- natural carrot and beet extracts (colorant)
- natural caramel (for some products)
- Representative products
- Americano Rosso 75cl - Contratto
- Aperitif 100cl - Contratto
- Bitter 100cl - Contratto
- Fernet liqueur 70cl - Contratto
- Vermouth Bianco 75cl - Contratto
- Vermouth Rosso 75cl - Contratto
What makes it distinctive
- Company founded in 1867 in Canelli (AT).
- Historic Metodo Classico producer (sparkling wines) that also produces vermouth, aperitifs and liqueurs.
- Historic recipes for vermouths and aperitifs dating back to the early 20th century and to the 1930s for some recipes.
- Production of vermouths and liqueurs using natural extracts, cold extraction and aging in steel.
- Acquired by the Rivetti family (La Spinetta) in 2011, with a brand relaunch.