The colour is medium ruby. On the nose some strawberry, but not much. In the mouth acidic, with a bitter aftertaste. Overall not a very pleasant experience.
This Pinot Nero is produced by Conte Vistarino winery under the DOC Pinot Nero dell’Oltrepò Pavese, one of the 7 DOC of this area of the Province of Pavia, which lies to the south of the river Po. The other 6 DOCs are: Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese, Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepò Pavese, Casteggio, Oltrepò Pavese, Oltrepò Pavese Pinot grigio and Sangue di Giuda dell’Oltrepò Pavese. There is also a DOCG: Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico. The generic DOC Oltrepò Pavese was established in 1970, the DOCG in 2007 and the other DOCs in 2010.
According to the winery’s own website, “Pinot Nero arrived in Italy thanks to the Count Carlo Vistarino in 1850 when the first vines were imported directly from Burgundy.” In reality, Pinot Noir rootlings from Burgundy were supplied to the Tyrolean Agricultural Association already in 1838, but back then Alto Adige was still Austrian. On the other side, the Kingdom of Italy was established only in 1861.
Nowadays, besides Oltrepò Pavese and Alto Adige, which have led the way, Pinot Noir has achieved interesting results also in Trentino, Tuscany, Valle d’Aosta, Franciacorta, Marche and Veneto.
I received this bottle as a present. It can be purchased in Italy for 8.90 EUR.
Country: Italy
Region: Lombardy
Grapes: Pinot Noir/Pinot Nero
Type: Red
Vintage: 2017
Producer: Conte Vistarino
Price range: Economic (<15 US$)
Pascal’s Enjoyment Index: 1/5