Discover the 5 essential steps for tasting Oltrepò Pavese wines. A simple guide for beginners to savour the aromas, flavours and traditions of a unique land.
The Oltrepò Pavese is one of the most fascinating wine-growing areas in Italy, known for its extraordinary wines and rich oenological tradition. Approaching wine tasting may seem complicated for a beginner, but with a few practical tips you can discover and appreciate the unique flavours of this land. In this article you will discover 5 simple steps to start tasting wine like a true connoisseur, using the wines of Oltrepò Pavese as an example.
1. Observe the colour of the wine
The first step in tasting a wine is to carefully observe its colour. This gesture allows you to find out a lot about the type of wine, its age and general characteristics. Pour the wine into a transparent glass and tilt it slightly to see how the light passes through the liquid.
- Oltrepò Pavese white wines (such as Pinot Grigio) range from straw yellow to more golden hues. Young whites tend to have light colours, while more intense ones indicate greater structure or prolonged ageing.
- Red wines, such as Bonarda and Pinot Nero dell‘Oltrepò Pavese, have colours ranging from ruby to garnet. Orange hues generally suggest a wine with a certain degree of ageing.
2. Smell the wine to discover the aromas
The second step in wine tasting is dedicated to the sense of smell. Bring the glass close to your nose and inhale deeply to pick up the aromas. This step is essential to get used to the basic smells and learn to distinguish the different families of scents.
- Oltrepò Pavese white wines: Riesling and Moscato offer hints of citrus fruits, flowers and honey, making them fresh and aromatic.
- Oltrepò Pavese red wines: Pinot Noir has notes of berries and light spices, while Barbera has aromas of plum and cherry.
3. Taste the first sip
The third step is to taste the wine. Take a small sip and let it swirl around in your mouth for a few seconds to allow your taste buds to fully savour its aromas. At this stage the first impact is made: is the wine sweet, sour or soft?
- Oltrepò Pavese white wines: Pinot Grigio and Riesling are fresh, light and with a pleasant acidity.
- Oltrepò Pavese red wines: Bonarda is known for its softness and low tannin content, making it ideal for pairing with local dishes.
4. Discover the sensations in the mouth
The fourth step in wine tasting is to understand the sensations it leaves in the mouth. This helps to understand whether a wine is ‘light’ or ‘full-bodied’. The structure of the wine can greatly influence the pleasure of tasting.
- Light white wines such as Riesling are fresh and leave a light and clean feeling in the mouth.
- Full-bodied red wines such as Barbera dell‘Oltrepò Pavese, on the other hand, offer a more intense structure that fills the mouth and makes the wine persistent.
5. Assess the wine‘s persistence and balance
The fifth and final step is to assess the persistence of flavours after sipping, a characteristic known as ‘intense aromatic persistence’ (PAI). The longer the flavours remain, the more persistent the wine is, which is a good indicator of quality.
- Fresh white wines from Oltrepò generally have a shorter persistence but leave a clean and pleasant taste.
- Complex red wines such as Pinot Noir linger longer in the mouth and leave an enveloping sensation of ripe fruit and spices.
Conclusion: Tasting Oltrepò Pavese wines to appreciate the flavours of the territory
Approaching wine tasting is not only a way to appreciate its flavour, but also a journey to discover the territory and its traditions. The wines of the Oltrepò Pavese, with their wide variety and unique aromas, are ideal for anyone wishing to explore the world of wine tasting in a simple but satisfying way.
With these 5 simple steps, you can approach wine tasting with greater awareness and enjoy each glass as an experience that combines culture, flavour and tradition.
