W3 Wine School

Oltrepò Pavese DOCG (Italy)

Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico is produced the same way as Champagne.

Oltrepò Pavese Flavors

Citrus, Apple, Pear, and Strawberry are typical Oltrepò Pavese flavors.

Lemon
Citrus
Apple
Apple
Pear
Pear
Strawberry
Strawberry

Fermentation flavors:

Butter
Butter
Bread
Yeast
Bread
Bread
Almonds
Almonds

Tertiary Flavors from Aging:

Oak
Oak
Vanilla
Vanilla
Toast
Toast
Nuts
Nuts

Oltrepò Pavese Profile

Metodo Classico wines have much the same profile as traditional Champagne:

SUGAR:Dry 3g/l
BODY:Medium
FRUIT:Medium
ACIDITY:High
ALCOHOL:12-13% ABV
Temperature Serving temperatures:
10-12°C (50-54°F)

Oltrepò Pavese Food Pairing

You can drink Sparkling Wines to almost everything whether it is French Champagne, Spanish Cava, or Italian Prosecco.

Sparkling wines pair well with salt, because the bubbles break up the salt in the mouth. Acidity and bubbles can also pair well with creamy and oily dishes.

Aperitif
Aperitif
Salads
Salads
Tapas
Tapas
Sandwitch
Sandwitch
Crab
Seafood
Oysters
Oysters
Salmon
Salmon
Sushi
Sushi
French Fries
Fries
Chicken
Chicken
Turkey
Turkey
Pork
Pork
Egg
Egg Dishes
Pasta
Pasta
Risotto
Risotto
Soft Cheese
Soft Cheese

Excellent pairings

Caesar Salad. Seafood Salad.
Hors-d'œuvre. Sandwich. Focaccia.
Tapas. Ham. Serrano. Prosciutto.
Seafood. Oysters. Clams.
Crab. Lobster. Caviar.
Cod. Tuna. Smoked Salmon.
Fried Chicken. Turkey. Pork.
Egg Dishes. Omelettte. Risotto.
Pasta. Ravioli. Macaroni with Cheese.
Asian Food. Springrolls.
Sushi. Sashimi.

Italian Specialities

Fritto Misto di Pesce (Deep Fried Fish).
Risotto ai Frutti di Mare (Risooto with Seafood).
Risotto with Asparagus.
White Fish (Sea Bass) with Polenta.
Lasagne with White Sauce.

The Ideal Glass for Oltrepò Pavese

A Champagne Glass with a bell that points to the bottom, allows a pilar of bubbles to build up inside the glass. This is not only beautiful, but also extends the "life" of the champagne.

A wide middle section lifts the aromas out of the wine. A smaller opening concentrates the scent to the nose and directs the drink to the front of the tongue where it heightens an experience of sweetness.

Oltrepò Pavese Cheese Pairing

Mozzarella di Bufala

The fresh, milky sweetness and delicate texture of Mozzarella di Bufala is a perfect match for Oltrepò Pavese's crispness. Combine with cherry tomatoes and fresh basil for an elegant Caprese-style presentation.

Brie

The creamy, buttery texture and mild earthy flavors of Brie complement Oltrepò Pavese's crisp acidity and fine bubbles. Serve the cheese at room temperature with a slice of baguette or fig jam.

Taleggio

The creamy, slightly tangy, and earthy qualities of Taleggio pair well with the bubbles and freshness. Serve with crusty bread and dried figs.

Goat Cheese (Chèvre)

The tangy, fresh flavors of goat cheese align perfectly with Blanc de Blancs, highlighting the wine's crisp minerality. Add fresh herbs or a drizzle of olive oil.

Parmigiano-Reggiano

The nutty, salty, and umami-rich flavors of Parmigiano-Reggiano harmonize with Oltrepò Pavese's brightness and complexity. Break the cheese into chunks and drizzle with a touch of acacia honey.

Robiola or Gorgonzola Dolce

The creamy, mild blue cheese contrasts beautifully with Franciacorta's acidity, balancing its richness. Add walnuts or pear slices for a classic pairing.

Oltrepò Pavese DOCG

Oltrepò Pavese has 4 DOCG wines:

All DOCG wines are sparkling, and use the same method as French Champagne.

Grapes allowed are Pinot Nero (minimum 70%), Chardonnay, Pinot Grigio, and Pinot Bianco.

They come in all styles: Brut Nature (Zero Dosage), Extra Brut, Brut, Extra Dry, Sec and Demi Sec.

They must spend 15 months on the lees. The Vintage ones must age 24 months before bottling.

"Cruasé" is a local name combining Cru and Rosé.

Italian Sparkling

In Italy, Sparkling wines are called Frizzante or Spumante.

Frizzante
Light bubbles (2.5 - 3.5 bars of pressure)
Spumante
Fully sparkling (4 - 6 bars of pressure)
ProseccoProsecco Spumante
Moscato d'AstiAsti Spumante
Pignoletto FrizzantePignoletto Spumante
Lambrusco

Italian Metodo Classico DOC(G)

Metodo Classico is the Italian name for wines produced the same way as Champagne.

DOC(G)Grapes
Trentodoc DOC (1993) Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, and Pinot Bianco
Franciacorta DOCG (1995) Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Pinot Nero.
Greco di Tufo DOCG (2003) Greco (main grape)
Oltrepò Pavese DOCG (2007) Pinot Nero (main grape)
Alta Langa DOCG (2011) Minimum 90 % Chardonnay + Pinot Nero

Trentodoc was the first area in the world (after Champagne) to get a DOC for Traditional Method wines.


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