Oltrepò Pavese

The Oltrepò Pavese is the southern part of the province of Pavia, named for lying beyond the River Po, and rises in a rough triangle to Monte Lesima in the Ligurian Apennines. It is the largest wine-producing area of Lombardy, specialising in Pinot nero, and its vineyards are freely accessible to hikers and mountain bikers. Its sparkling wines come in three levels, vivace, frizzante and spumante; the best-known local wine is the fruity Bonarda, and Buttafuoco and the sweet red Sangue di Giuda are made here too. The kitchen runs to mushrooms, truffles, rabbit and wild boar, cured meats such as coppa and the protected salame di Varzi, and agnolotti pavesi.