Lombardy

Production region for a wide range of red, rosé and white wines located in the wine-growing region of Lombardy in Italy. The zone (DOC and IGT Provincia di Pavia) is the largest in the region, accounting for a vineyard area of 16.000 hectares, it is the third-largest in Italy, after Asti and Chianti. It includes 42 communes in the foothills of the Apennin mountains, on the south bank oft he Po river I nthe province of Pavia. The DOC region as such has a total vineyard area of 13.000 hectares. The Oltrepò region is the largest producer of Pinot Nero grapes in Italy, the variety accounts for around 2.000 hectares here. The varietal wines must consist of a minimum of 85% of the stated variety, the balance may be made up of other permitted varieties of the same colour. The varietal wines are all made in a dry (secco) style, some of them also in amabile and dolce variants, the varieties are: Barbera, Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon, Cortese, Croatina (Bonarda), Malvasia, Moscato (also as a Passito and Liquoroso), Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero (also made as a Rosato), Riesling, and Sauvignon Blanc. A new regulation states that as of the 2007 vintage, the Pinot Nero, when made as a red wine, must consist of 100% of this variety. Some of these wines are also available as Frizzante and Spumante. Rosso variants (also as a Riserva, matured for two years) and Rosato are blends made from Croatina (25-65%), Barbera (25-65%), as well as Uva Rara and/or Ughetta and/or Pinot Nero (up to 45%). As of the 2007 vintage, a Bianco version is also available (50-60% Riesling, the remainder other white varieties).

Certain wines of the two sub-zones Buttafuoco (fiery spark) and Sangue di Giuda (Judas blood) are permitted to state this designation on the label. They are produced similarly to the Rosso, but must have a minimum of 0,5% higher alcohol than this. The Buttafuoco is also made as a Frizzante, the Sangue di Giuda is available only as a Frizzante, and as of 2007 also as a Spumante (Charmat method). The minimum alcohol content for the Sangue di Giuda is 6%, and as of 2007 it must have a residual sugar of no less than 90 g/l.

As of the 2007 vintage, the Spumante has been renamed DOCG Oltrepò Pavese Spumante Metodo Classico (minimum of 70% Pinot Nero, maximum of 30% Chardonnay, Pinot Biancoaund Pinot Grigio). There is also a variant called Oltrepò Pavese Spumante Metodo Classico Pinot Nero (with a minimum of 85% Pinot Nero). Both may be produced as Bianco and Rosato variants.