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House icon Authors ▸ Richard Baudains

Richard's Most Recent Articles...

Across the Po: Traditional method sparkling wines and the significance of Pinot Nero for a new generation of producers in Oltrepo Pavese
Added by Richard Baudains on 31 May 2023

Richard Baudains considers the quiet growth of traditional method sparkling wine from the Po Valley and its quiet push for better quality, identity and recognition.

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Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco Superiore DOCG: The Rive
Added by Richard Baudains on 5 Jul 2022

Richard Baudains sat down with the Consorzio of Conegliano Valdobbiadene to taste a selection of wines bottled according to the latest rule changes in the appellation. The concept of single vineyard Prosecco known as ’rive’ is gradually being established as part of a campaign to highlight the viticultural heritage of these UNESCO protected hillsides and differentiate the territory’s artisan sparkling wines from the more everyday examples made in the larger Prosecco DOC. Here are his tasting notes presented without scores.

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Recently Tasted Wines


Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG Pas Dosé
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG Pas Dosé
Finigeto, Lombardy, Italy
2019
Pinot Nero (100%)
“The nose is refined and complex, with red apple, cherry, rose petal, an intriguing note of samphire and a touch of oatmeal biscuit. Great energy on the palate, long and incisive with a lingering, aromatic return (lime, wood ash) in the finish. Classy.”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Casto” Pas Dosé
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Casto” Pas Dosé
Bosco Longhino, Lombardy, Italy
2018
Pinot Nero (100%)
“Fresh and open on the nose, with apple core, lemon cream and a hint of sloe berry. Light and crisp on the palate with lots of airy vitality and a long tangy finish. Bone dry without hardness. Great aperitif wine.”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Gran Cuvée” Brut
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Gran Cuvée” Brut
Tenuta Travaglino, Lombardy, Italy
2017
Pinot Nero (100%)
“Mature nose with sweet herbs and yellow fruit and touches of pie crust. The palate has a creamy texture and the round fleshiness that comes with the lowish acidity of the warm vintage.  A little short, finishes with notes of pear skin and bitter almonds, but a wine with personality.”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Oltrenero” Brut
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Oltrenero” Brut
Tenuta il Bosco, Lombardy, Italy
Non-vintage
“Delicate saline-citrusy nose and good volume on the palate, with well-integrated CO2. Carefully judged acid-sugar balance in the finish which sees the return of the lemony fruit. Well-made, fresh and linear entry level.”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Cépage” Brut
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Cépage” Brut
Conte Vistarino, Lombardy, Italy
Non-vintage
Pinot Nero (85%)Chardonnay (15%)
“Intense straw shade, very fine mousse and long perlage. Complex, quite mature nose with notes of straw, apricot and lemon rind. There is breadth on the palate and the finish is round and fresh and very nicely balanced. Superior quality.”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Pinot 64 Cuvée” Brut
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Pinot 64 Cuvée” Brut
Calatroni, Lombardy, Italy
2018
Pinot Nero (100%)
“Mousse is a little coarse and short. The nose is sour cherry with green herbs and a touch of pie crust. Lacking a little vitality on the palate, acidity a little rigid, not in harmony with the dosage. (Suspect cork - no score).”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Oltre il Classico” Extra Brut
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Oltre il Classico” Extra Brut
Ca' di Frara, Lombardy, Italy
Non-vintage
Pinot Nero (100%)
“Very intense straw shade, going almost to blush. Very attractive, complex nose of herbaceous border and red apple. Palate with creamy texture, broad and quite soft. Low acidity means it is a little short, but it's dry without harshness. A little unrefined, but lots of personality.”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG Brut
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG Brut
Cà del Gè, Lombardy, Italy
2016
Pinot Nero (100%)
“Very fine perlage and nose which opens with red cherry, sweet spice and custard cream and develops a hint of smokiness with air. Big impact palate, solid, full-bodied, but with a very fine weave, with a dosage that brings back the red fruit.  A food wine.”
Richard Baudains
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Cuvée Nero d'Oro” Extra Brut
Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG “Cuvée Nero d'Oro” Extra Brut
Bertè e Cordini - Cantine Francesco Montagna, Lombardy, Italy
Non-vintage
Pinot Nero (100%)
“Opens very fresh, immediate and focused on nose, grassy with notes of bergamot. Medium body, fine texture and good intensity in the dry savoury finish. A little rigid, but has character.”
Richard Baudains
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG “Particella 68” Brut Superiore Colbertaldo
Conegliano Valdobbiadene Prosecco DOCG “Particella 68” BrutSuperioreColbertaldo
Sorelle Bronca, Veneto, Italy
2021
Glera (100%)
“Hard to choose between the outstanding, single plot selections of the Sorelle Bronca. This one is dry but ripe and fleshy with a creamy texture, great freshness and a lovely grapey finish.”
Richard Baudains