C’era una volta… 2019

Another simple and fruity wine, like most I have been drinking during my wandering on the Via Francigena in Lombardy and Emilia. Wines that are better drunk than talked about. Mostly cheap, but nevertheless enjoyable. Like this Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepò Pavese DOC that I bought at a Supermarket for 3.99 EUR. An easy to drink wine that paired well with the sandwich filled with rolled bacon I had for lunch.

Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepo Pavese is a relatively new DOC in the Lombardy region of Italy. It covers red wines that may be still or semi-sparkling. As with many DOCs the latter part of the name denotes the growing zone. Buttafuoco is not a grape, nor a place, but a style. The wine is made with a blend of Barbera (25-65%), Croatina (25-65%), Uva Rara and Vespolina (max. 45%).

For this cheap bottle I paid a much higher price by carrying it along the last 6 km to the B&B where I decided to spend the night before crossing the Appennini, on my way from Aosta to Rome. A place without neither restaurants nor stores.

Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy
Grapes: Barbera, Croatina, Uva Rara, Vespolina
Type: Red
Vintage: 2019
Producer: Guarini
Price range: Economic (<15 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 3/5