Oltrepò Pavese

Po at Pavese is a landscape in Italy, which comprises the area south of the Po preferred area of ​​the province of Pavia. At the same time it is the largest wine-growing region of Lombardy.

The hill country south of Pavia comprises 42 municipalities located at the foot of the Ligurian Apennines. Largest town is Voghera. Approved vineyards spread over the municipalities of Borgo Priolo, Borgoratto Mormorolo, Bosnasco, Calvignano, Canevino, Canneto Pavese, Castana, Cecima, Godiasco, Golferenzo, Lirio, Montalto Pavese, Monte Versiggia, Montescano, Montù Beccaria, Mornico Losana, Oliva Gessi, Pietra de ' Giorgi, Rocca de' Giorgi, Rocca Susella, Rovescala, Ruino, San Damiano al Colle, Santa Maria della Versa, Torrazza Coste, Volpara and Zenevredo. In addition, sub-regions are also the communities Broni, Casteggio, Cigognola, Codevilla, Corvino San Quirico, Fortunago, Montebello della Battaglia, Montesegale, Ponte Nizza, Redavalle, Retorbido, Rivanazzano Terme, Santa Giulietta, Stradella and Torricella Verzate admitted.

The vineyard area is approximately 16,000 hectares, of which 11,600 ha DOC classified. Nearly two- thirds of production is not sold as a DOC wine. Significant amounts of the grapes are delivered to large spumante wine cellars ( Cinzano, Gancia, Martini & Rossi) in Piedmont. In addition, larger amounts of bulk wine be delivered to the nearby Milan to meet the demand for cheap wine.

The wine-growing area was previously known for large amounts of low quality. This is facilitated by the important role of large wine cooperatives and the small size of Einzelbesitzungen. A winemaker has on average 1.8 ha of vines. On the other hand, has two-thirds of the cultivated in Italy Pinot Noir vines, ie 3,000 hectares, in Oltrepò. The Oltrepò making it by far the largest wine-growing region for this grape variety in Italy.