Oltrepò Pavese

Oltrepò Pavese is an enchanting wine district nestled within Lombardy, Italy's northernmost region. Nestled south of the Po River, hence the name 'Oltrepò', which translates to "beyond the Po", this region is treasured for its rolling hills, ancient castles, and most notably, its eminent production of discerning wines.

A quantifiable art, winemaking in Oltrepò Pavese traces back over two millennia, to the era of the Etruscans and Romans, later burgeoning under the stewardship of medieval monks. This unbeaten lineage has impregnated the wine with a remarkable depth and diversity of taste, an alchemic blend of tradition and innovation.

The region benevolently spoils a panoply of grape varieties, but the true Paraclete is the Pinot Nero grape, the principal ingredient in most of Oltrepò Pavese's sparkling wines, fostering an array of bouquet experiences from light bodied and crisp, to rich and spicy. Indeed, it's feted as a rival to the famed Champagnes of France.

Behind Pinot Nero comes Barbera, the second most grown grape in the region which manifests into full-bodied, high acidity red wines. But if the melancholy of autumn is in the air, then a sip of Moscato, a sweet, low alcohol wine, might just ensnare your senses, with its honey and elderflower undertones.

In recent years, efforts to safeguard the quality and heritage of these wines have led to increased regulatory measures. A generously significant proportion of the wines produced are DOC and DOCG certified – seals of authenticity and quality, that ensure each bottle carries the soul of Oltrepò Pavese.

Italy's Lombardy may be renowned for its fashion industry and cosmopolitan cities like Milan, but for the wine enthusiast, Oltrepò Pavese offers an unparalleled, elysian journey into a realm of flavours, history, and landscapes that are inescapably captivating.

Buy Oltrepò Pavese wine below.