We had crossed the Po River into Oltrepò Pavese, and then later as we drove over a foothill's mountain crest, seeing the valley below I knew we had come to a very special place. Oltrepò Pavese is an area often neglected by tourists and winelovers; this is despite its natural beautiful and being so authentic. As guests of the Consorzio Tutela Vini Oltrepò Pavese, Pavia Province we would discover this region's wines over the next two days.
Oltrepò Pavese, Lombardy © SpaswinefoodPavia Province's Oltrepò Pavese is home to stunning landscape. While north of the Po River is characterized by plains, to the south of the river, the hills and mountains, make it ideal for grape cultivation.
Welcome to Lombardy's Oltrepò Pavese
A large and geographically complex region, Lombardy has 5 DOCGs, 21 DOCs and 15 IGPs titles. Lombardy's home to handful of popular and well-known wine styles including the bright, cherry-scented Valtellina, Franciacorta sparkling wines, and Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico. The Oltrepò Pavese stands out among these as one of the larger regions, known not only for its sparkling Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, but for its other wines. During our visit to Oltrepò Pavese we would be introduced to these wines.
There is a long tradition of wine making in Oltrepò Pavese. Given that its wine making history is at least 2000 years old, there is much to say; however the focus of this post will be on our overall wine discoveries. Let's begin by focusing on the grape varieties grown, the styles of wines produced, and it's DOC’s and DOCG’s.
- Pinot Nero (Pinot Noir) is the major grape variety and it is used to make excellent sparkling wines and still red wines. The region is best know for its Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, with Cruase being its flagship wine. The list includes: Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Cruase DOCG, and Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC.
During our two day visit over cheese and meat platters, lunch, or dinner we would be introduced to many excellent wines. Let's start with the sparkling wines. When we visited La Versa, a wine cooperative, we were introduced to a fabulous lineup of sparkling wines.
La Versa, Sparkling Wines
After this impressive tasting we would continue to be introduced Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Noir sparkling wines.
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG
CA' Di FrarA, Pinot Nero Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG
Torti Wines produces DOC and DOCG wines and sparkling wines. We concluded our visit to this family winery with a special bottle of sparking wine. Yes, a Gran Carisma DOCG Pinot Nero Metodo Classico Dino Torti.
Dino and Daughter, Torti Winery © Spaswinefood
Dino Torti, Gran Carisma Pinot Nero Metodo Classico DOCG © Spaswinefood
This is a winery that knows how to host visitors.
The Torti family are fabulous hosts.
When we visited Frecciarossa Winery we fell under the spell of this amazing place and its wines.
We had a fabulous visit getting to know their wines.
Frecciarossa, Extra Brut Rosé Vino Spumante Metodo Classico Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2019
Extra Brut Rosé Vino Spumante Metodo Classico Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2019 © Spaswinefood
Extra Brut Rosé Vino Spumante Metodo Classico Oltrepò Pavese © Spaswinefood
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Cruase DOCG,
Dinner was a great way to meet producers whose wineries we could not visit.
One of the wines served at the first dinner was a Cruase.
La Travaglina, Julillae Cruase Metodo Classico Brut DOCG
La Travaglina Julillae Cruase Metodo Classico Brut DOCG © Spaswinefood
Our first Oltrepò Pavese winery visit was Castillo Di Luzzano where we took in the valley views, did a wine tasting at the castle, followed by the most delicious lunch.
The last wine was a special Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2006 that our host selected from the cellar.
Castello di Luzzano, Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2006
Yes, the dessert was a great pairing for this Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2006.
Over the two days we would encounter a number of Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC wines.
We were introduced to three Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC wines at Conte Vistarino.
Conte Vistarino (Tenuta di Rocca de Giorgi) Pinot Nero Pernice Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2018
Conte Vistarino, Pinot Nero Pernice Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2018 © Spaswinefood
A beautiful way to begin our second day was at Castello Stefanago. Here we climbed to the top of the castle to take in the stunning views. It was followed by an excellent wine tasting.
The wine tasting was an awesome line of wines. Amongst the wines was an Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Nero DOC.
Castello di Stefanago, Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Nero DOC
The above wines are examples of some of the Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Cruase DOCG sparkling wines, and Pinot Nero Della’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC still wines we tasted.
2. Bonarda wine is made from the Coatina grapes (85-100%), with other grape varieties being Barbera, Uva Rara, and Ughetta (to a maximum of 15%). It is produced as a Bonarda Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC.
Two the Bonarda Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC wines we tasted during dinner on the second evening follows:
Bonarda Vino Firma, Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC
Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese “Vigna del Povrömme” DOC
Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese “Vigna del Povrömme” DOC © Spaswinefood
3. Barbera wine is made from Barbera grapes (85-100%) and other varietals to a maximum of 15%. It is produced as a Oltrepò Pavese Barbera DOC. Now an example of one of these Barbera wines.
Tenute Travaglino, Barbera Campo Dei Ciliegi Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2018
4. Oltrepò Pavese red wines (Rosso) produced from a blend of Croatina (25-65%), Barbera (25-65%) and other varietials (Uva Rara, Ughetta and Pinot Nero) to maximum of 45%. These wines are produced as a Oltrepò Pavese Rosso DOC.
Oltrepò Pavese Rosso DOC
Tenute Travaglino, Mercantonio Oltrepò Pavese Rosso Riserva DOC 2019
5. Riesling wines are produced from Riesling Italico and Riesling Renano grapes. They are produced in both still (two versions: Superiore and Riserva with 24 months of bottle aging), and sparkling styles (Frizzante and Spumante Metodo Martinolti). It is produced as a Oltrepò Pavese Riesling DOC.
Over our two day visit we tasted many excellent sparkling Riesling wines.
Frecciarossa, Gli Orti Riesling, Oltrepò Pavese DOC 2020
We would also like to note the following two other Oltrepò Pavese DOC wines (Sangue Di Giuda and Moscato) produced:
6. An Oltrepò Pavese Sangue Di Giuda wine from small area (the municipalities of Bosnasco, Montu Beccaria, Pieta de Giorgi and Cigonola) is made from Croatina (25-65%), Barbera (25-65%) and other grape varietials (Uva Rara, Ughetta and Pinot Nero, to maximum of 45%). This wine is only made in the Vivace (light sparkling), Frizzante (semi-sparkling), and Spumante (sparkling) styles. It is produced as a Sangue Di Giuda Dell’ Oltrepò Pavese DOC.
7. A Moscato wine produced from Moscato Bianco, with a minimum of 85% of this grape variety. The Volpara area is well suited for producing this wine. It is made in the Vivace (light sparkling), Frizzante (semi-sparkling), and Spumante (sparkling) styles. It is produced as a Oltrepò Pavese Moscato DOC.
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