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

Regions / Lombardy

DOCStill huntingModerate

Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio DOC

Come si dice? Tap the speaker next to a name to hear it in Italian. AI voice.

IL PROGETTODOCOLTREPÒ PAVESE PINOT GRIGIOAAIT96574840Denominazione di Origine Controllata

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

A varietal DOC created when the Oltrepò split its big appellation into pieces. The Pinot Grigio here grows on cooler clay and limestone hills than the Veneto flatlands, so it tends to have a bit more weight and a coppery tint, with pear, white peach, almond and a soft, slightly bitter finish. Most is sold to Milan supermarkets; some is bottled frizzante. It's honest rather than exciting, but a few estates make a serious version.

Still hunting

I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

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

Can you help me get one?

Bottles I'm chasing

  • Cantina di Casteggio

    Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio

    The most widely distributed example in the US; clean pear and almond with a soft finish.

    $12 to $16Wine-Searcher
  • Bruno Verdi

    Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio

    More textured and coppery, with white peach, ginger and a mineral edge.

    $18 to $24Wine-Searcher
  • Tenuta Mazzolino

    Oltrepò Pavese Pinot Grigio

    Burgundy-trained estate best known for Pinot Nero; a precise, dry Pinot Grigio with pear and chalk.

    $18 to $24Wine-Searcher