Gancia
(An Online Virtual Visit)
by
Terry and Kathy Sullivan
Photos provided by
Gancia unless otherwise noted.
This article about Gancia is based on an online interview, online data and photos supplied by the winery. The article was written during the time of the worldwide 2020-2021 pandemic. We graciously received samples to review for this article. Paola Visconti, Marketing Manager for Sparkling Wines and Wine-Based Aperitifs, answered our questions.
Summary: Gancia is a leading producer of sparkling wines from Italy. The company was founded over 170 years ago and has many firsts. For example, they are credited with developing the first Italian Classic Method of making sparkling wines. In 1931, they created the Asti denomination. Their historic cellars is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
History
In 1848 Carlo Gancia moved to Reims, France and learned about sparkling wine production. Two years later he returned to Italy and with his brother Edoardo founded Fratelli Gancia. In 1865, using Moscato grapes, the brothers created a sparkling wine called Spumante Italiano. Carlo became the author of the rules for making the Italian Classic Method of producing sparkling wines. We asked Paola Visconti to comment about the long history of Gancia and the impact on today. She wrote:
“The history of Gancia revolves around the link with the land, with those who work it daily, without neglecting any detail: a long path, which crosses vineyards and laboratories, up to the historical cellars where the bottles find the right rest, closing a cycle that is repeated, unchanged, since the beginning.
“Our vision is firmly based on the Italian culture about which Gancia has always told the whole world and which today is expressed in the brand positioning 'Gancia. Drink beauty.' Beauty is deeply rooted in Gancia’s identity, history and wines. Beauty of the hills around Asti and Canelli where the vines are raised by the farmers for generations. Beauty of the creative expressions of the brand since the 19th century that can be seen in the brand’s labels, posters, and TV ads, all preciously conserved in the Gancia museum. Beauty of the savoir-faire of the wine makers. Beauty of the wines themselves, with the joyful and audacious colors of the Charmat wines and the innovative although deeply traditional wrapping of its Alta Langa Classic Method collection, thanks to which Gancia plays a leading role on the market in the Piedmont Classic Method.”
Vineyards
Gancia has relations with 200 growers to purchase about 150 tons of grapes each year. They acquire grapes from different territories such as Alta Langa and Asti DOCG.
Winemaking
Wine Trail Traveler asked about the winemaker and winemaking at Gancia. Paola Visconti responded,
“Andrea Capussotti is our winemaker and technical director. At the base of his winemaking culture there is the search for the perfect quality: from the selection of the land to the inspection of the grapes, carefully harvested in baskets, from the soft grape pressing to the creation of the cuvée, each phase is performed almost with obsession. A quality that has been recognized by many numerous awards and recognition starting with having been appointed back in 1870s as the official purveyors of the Italian Royal House, something that is still celebrated on the Gancia vermouth labels today.
“Today the continuous search for improvement and innovation is made thanks also to the collaboration with Donato Lanati, one of the top oenologists in the world.”
A rosé sparkling wine is not a new concept to Gancia’s portfolio of sparkling wines. However, Prosecco Rosé is a new creation. Prosecco producers in 2020 were permitted to make a rosé Prosecco. We were curious how the new Prosecco DOC Rosé sold in comparison to the other rosé sparkling wines crafted by Gancia. Paola Visconti wrote, “The new Gancia Prosecco Rosé, in its unique bottle with beams of sunlight inspired by the sunshine moment, is set to enrich the premium range of Rosé sparkling wines already available in the Gancia portfolio. The Rosé market is growing significantly across all geographies and Prosecco Rosé has been demonstrating excellent sales performance since the start of the launch in October 2020, especially in international markets.”
Wine Trail Traveler went on to ask, “Do you see the public, both local and international, embracing the Prosecco DOC Rosé?” Paola Visconti responded, “Absolutely yes. The boom of rosé wines doesn’t stop. It is one of the most interesting growing markets. And Prosecco Rosé is no exception. Consumers and producers are showing a new awareness in the category of rosé wines. Rosé wines are acquiring their own commercial identity and as a market category. This revolution has grown with a new perception of rosé wines among consumers (primarily in the United States). The American market grew by + 126,7% between 2011 and 2020 (Nomisma data).”
Wines
Our first introduction of a Gancia sparkling wine took place in July during National Prosecco Week. The Gancia Prosecco DOC Rosé Millesimato 2020 Extra Dry was the first rosé Prosecco that we have sampled. This Prosecco Rosé had a pink color with light orange hue and 11% alcohol. Multiple columns of small bubbles formed a total surface mousse on the wine’s surface. This rosé was crafted with mostly Glera grapes and a bit of Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) for color. The aroma reminded us of red berry fruits. The creamy and lively mouthfeel added to the red raspberry and strawberry notes. Although the wine had 17 g/L residual sugar, it seemed dry. The finish was crisp and fruity. Although we started the wine as an aperitif, we also paired it with baked chicken and vegetables.
Gancia is a very creative company as evidence of their commercials. We decided to add some creativity by writing a haiku for this rosé:
Prosecco Rosé
Lively in glass and mouthfeel
Creamy berry fruits.
We received two other samples from Gancia. The 2020 Moscato D'Asti DOCG is a light alcohol, only 5.5%, and lightly sparkling that surely will bring smiles to many faces. It was made with Moscato Bianco di Canelli grapes. The yellow color has a light gold hue. The aroma offers floral and fruity notes. The taste includes peaches, apples and honeysuckle. There is a very slight effervescence that initially tickles the tongue. Once settled, the mouthfeel is creamy. The finish is fruity with a touch of honey. We drank this as an aperitif on a summer, hot September day.
The Gancia Asti DOCG sparkling wine had a light gold color. Multiple columns of small bubbles formed a central and circumferential mousse on the wine's surface. The wine was crafted with the White Moscato grape. This 7.5% alcohol sparkling wine has a floral and fruity aroma. The taste is reminiscent of honeysuckle, orange blossoms, apple and peach. The mouthfeel was lively. The finish was very fruity with floral notes on the aftertaste. This sparkling wine was a bit sweet and is an excellent aperitif.
Wine Tourism
From Paola’s description, it would be a delightful experience to visit Gancia. Tours are offered in Italian, English and French. Visitors explore the history of sparkling wine in Italy in the Underground Cellars. In the town of Canelli, the Underground Historical Cellars of the House of Gancia are preserved. The cellars are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Paola Visconti wrote: “The Gancia Historical Cellars represent an inestimable heritage of a style of oenological architecture: in times past these were dug out of tufa soil, a natural thermal insulating material, perfect for maintaining a steady temperature of 12-14 °C and perfect for processing and aging our great wines.”
Paola Visconti continued to describe the cellars, “An underground, secret labyrinth which stretches for about 1 kilometer, with a single 100-meters-long cellar, the longest in the whole village of Canelli. Another 500 square meters cellar hosts a permanent museum with vintage posters, ancient bottling equipment and memories of past Gancia sponsorships.
“In these cellars visitors can admire the old pupitres with special vintage bottles and French oak barrels where the wines rest and mature prior to the sparkling wine process.”
Wine Pairings
Paola Visconti wrote about food and wine pairings. With products that range from dry to sweet, she noted that there are many combinations that work with Italian and international items.
With regard to foods from the Piedmont, she wrote, “Particularly, Piedmont has an important tradition in confectionery and bakery that can be traced back in time and popular and religious rites, in culture and the abundant availability of ingredients, developed by a historic, renowned and prestigious class of pastry chefs and artisans, as well as a strong and dynamic confectionary industry. We can mention Lady’s Kisses or Baci di Dama (golden, round and fragrant biscuits), Coppi di Langa (homemade biscuits with some ingredient typical of the Piedmont tradition) or Hazelnut cake, typical product of the Langhe region, perfect to be paired with Asti Spumante or Moscato D’Asti.”
Paola also suggested pairing dry sparkling wines (especially Alta Langa classic method) with: Agnolotti (ravioli) or Tajarin noodles or specialties like Vitello Tonnato (veal with tuna sauce) and Robiola di Roccaverano (cheese).
When traveling to the Asti region of the Italian Piedmont, be sure to visit Gancia. Discover their long history, sparkling wines and more. Paola Visconti wrote, “Making the history of the company known to the public means making known what is at the basis of the company's DNA: we can say that Gancia's core values can be summarized in Quality, People and an iconic Brand that has brightened and shared in all these years many happy moments in the lives of people not only in Italy but around the world.”
F.lli Gancia & C. SpA
Corso Libertà, 66, 14053 Canelli AT, Italia
Article written September 2021.
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