The Italy Wine Project

Regions / Lombardy

DOCStill huntingNear impossible

Casteggio DOC

IL PROGETTODOCCASTEGGIOAAIT17064855Denominazione di Origine Controllata

No strip issued. I'm still hunting a bottle.

A small Barbera-focused DOC around the Roman town of Clastidium, meant to be the Oltrepò's serious still red. Barbera dominates the blend, so expect deep ruby, black cherry, plum, black pepper and a savory balsamic edge with sharp acidity and moderate tannin, usually aged in oak for at least two years. Very few producers use the name; most sell their Barbera as Oltrepò Pavese DOC instead. Practically speaking it's a paper appellation.

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I'm still looking for a bottle of this.

If you make Casteggio, import it, or know who does, the form takes two minutes and I reply to every one.

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Bottles I'm chasing

  • Cantina di Casteggio

    Casteggio Rosso (Barbera-based)

    The cooperative in the town itself, the most likely source of a wine labeled with the DOC; black cherry, pepper, bright acidity.

    $15 to $22Wine-Searcher
  • Cantina di Casteggio

    Oltrepò Pavese Barbera (closest US-available substitute)

    Same house, same grape, sold under the broader DOC and findable on Wine-Searcher US; use it as a proxy if the Casteggio label can't be found.

    $12 to $16Wine-Searcher