Also by Jeremy Young:The Italy Wine ProjectThe Humidor Project
The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Lombardy

DOCGStill huntingModerate

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG

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IL PROGETTODOCGOLTREPÒ PAVESE METODO CLASSICOAAIT98137686Denominazione di Origine Controllata e Garantita

No strip issued. I'm still hunting a bottle.

Italy's largest Pinot Noir vineyard, used mostly for traditional-method sparkling wine that has to spend 15 months on lees (24 for vintage). The Pinot Nero-driven style is drier and more red-fruited than Franciacorta, with sour cherry, raspberry, bread crust and a lean, chalky finish; the Cruasé rosé shows the grape best. Prices are far lower than Franciacorta for similar craft, which is why it's a sommelier value pick. Quality is uneven across the big cooperatives, so stick with named estates.

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If you make Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

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Bottles I'm chasing

  • Conte Vistarino

    Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Cruasé 1865

    From the estate that planted Pinot Nero here in 1865; pale rosé with raspberry, blood orange and a dry chalky finish.

    $30 to $40Wine-Searcher

  • Bruno Verdi

    Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Vergomberra Brut

    Vintage-dated blanc de noirs style with green apple, bread crust and a taut finish; imported in small lots.

    $28 to $38Wine-Searcher

  • Monsupello

    Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico Nature

    Zero-dosage Pinot Nero and Chardonnay from a top house; bone dry, lemon peel, hazelnut, sharp acidity.

    $30 to $40Wine-Searcher