There’s a place in Turin where signature cuisine and top-quality mixology come together, united by surprising Alta Langa cuvées. This is where you’ll find Piano35 Ristorante, in continuity with its Lounge Bar on the 37th floor. They illuminate the cityscape like a lighthouse, suspended at nearly 170 metres above the ground in the Intesa Sanpaolo Skyscraper designed by Renzo Piano.
Expression N.1 By Marco Sacco
Like laboratories of taste, they delight the most refined palates by pairing dishes and cocktails with the outstanding sparkling wines of a land of enological excellence. Alta Langa – an area embracing the provinces of Asti, Alessandria and Cuneo – is now experiencing a winemaking renaissance. With its rolling hills and unique microclimate, this region has emerged as one of the most promising areas for the production of high-quality Metodo Classico. And it’s no coincidence that the Alta Langa Consortium has seen exponential growth in the number of labels over the last five years, from around 20 producers to over 70.
In this context, Piano35’s Michelin-starred chef Marco Sacco chose to work with the historic Enrico Serafino winery to create Expression N.1, an Alta Langa Metodo Classico cuvée that captures the essence of the Piedmont territory. “When the Piano35 project began, we needed an Alta Langa that would be a winning alternative to champagnes or the sparkling wines of Franciacorta. And we know how much the Piedmontese love their region’s wines”, explains the chef. This intuition gave rise to Expression N.1 by Marco Sacco, a 100% Pinot Noir distinguished by its complexity and refinement. Aged for 50 months on the yeasts in Enrico Serafino’s 19th-century cellars, plus another eight months of maturation, it perfectly represents Piedmont’s fine art of making bubbly.
Piano35 Ristorante
But for Sacco, it’s more than a wine: “It’s a personal tale of this territory. It embodies the history of winemakers in Piedmont, where Alta Langa is expressed at its best”, Naturally, the culinary creations of Piano35 Ristorante are masterfully paired with Sacco’s signature sparkling wine. “Alta Langa can be enjoyed as you please. You can always drink bubbly, from an aperitif to the whole meal. Like in an intimate relationship, some dishes call for it”, says the chef. “Take my Lingotto del Mergozzo: smoked trout served with a raspberry and flower gel. Or the Buratello: eels cooked at a low temperature with a sauce made from their smoked bones on the grill. Then there’s the Carbonara Au Koque, where the sauté with mountain butter and the egg sauce very nicely bring out the lightness of the Pinot Noir”. All these pairings showcase the versatility and finesse of the Piedmont cuvée, which doesn’t stop at dishes.
Alta Langa is Also Served at the Lounge Bar
Indeed, at the Piano35 Lounge Bar, head mixologist Simone Sacco uses Alta Langa as a key ingredient in his concoctions. “Cocktails and sparkling wine coexist and are part of our culture. They’re rivals and companions. But although offering one sometimes rules out offering the other, together they can create very interesting combinations, both classic and contemporary”, explains the chef’s son. “Considering the identity of Expression N.1 in a cocktail, I immediately think of a Death in the Afternoon, with a little absinthe, a classic Champagne Cocktail or a Kir Royal blended with a fine crème de cassis”, The choice of using Expression N.1 in cocktails is no coincidence.
Expression N.1 in Mixology at Piano35
In this cuvée, Simone Sacco sees a unique opportunity to create great classics where the bubbly is the protagonist. “We can take two types of bubbly and add them to the base of a French 75 with gin, lemon juice and sugar syrup”, he explains.
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Images courtesy Piano 35
