Oltrepò Pavese, voted with a plebiscite two important innovations that mark a turning point from the past. A revolutionary new statute, more balanced, transparent and supply chain oriented, and the revamped DOCG regulations.
It is a day that will remain written in the history books of the Oltrepò territory today. Two momentous changes were voted in by the Members’ Assembly. A new statute, in the name of balance, transparency and supply chain, and a new specification for the DOCG.
The word from Francesca Seralvo president of the Oltrepò Consortium.
“These are revolutionary changes for Oltrepò wine,” said President Francesca Seralvo, continuing. “We are proud to have completed, just one year after the new Board took office, the two most important reforms that lay the foundations for a genuine revitalization of our territory. With the Statute ,we intervened in particular on the voting system, representation for smaller producers and the enhancement of the supply chain. With the new DOCG Regulations, we have unambiguously identified our classic method with a historic and recognizable name – Classese – to tell a unique quality, guaranteed by increasingly restrictive rules. In both cases, these are essential tools to enhance the Oltrepò Pavese.”
The new statute
The new statute configures an absolutely innovative solution in Italy to resolve to a large extent a critical issue in the system of representativeness in the Consorzi di Tutela. That is, the discrepancy between small companies, which in numerical terms always represent the majority, and larger ones, which although numerically smaller weigh much more by producing more product.
It was decided to allocate a minimum number of votes (10) for each member, regardless of production capacity. In concrete terms it means a tenfold increase in the weight of small producers and making them more independent and more protagonists in the choices and life of the Consortium, without however affecting the balance generated by the proportionality criterion.
For the first time – in Oltrepò Pavese – a criterion of perfect proportionality is also adopted between the complainant, the fee paid to the Consortium and the number of votes available at the Assembly.
Vice President Cristian Calatroni’s statement.
In this regard, Cristian Calatroni, vice president of the Consortium and owner of the company of the same name: “The modification of the statute has the function of rebalancing the strong disparity that has always characterized our territory and which is one of the causes of the great difficulty that viticulture beyond the Po Valley is experiencing now. This new modulation of the voting system will serve to give more voice to those who guarantee the supply chain, unlike in the past, bringing important instances to the table, thanks above all to the great effort on the part of the cooperatives.”
Federdoc and MASAF
This new charter, designed by the renewed management of the Consortium, was also the result of the valuable support of Federdoc and the officials of the MASAF, with whom discussions were continuous to arrive at this important milestone.
The Oltrepò Pavese Classical Method Specification.
The second important vote, on the other hand, concerned the specifications of Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG; if at the level of content the Members had already achieved an important result related to the qualitative parameters, today’s Assembly integrated the changes already approved with two fundamental elements. First, a new name, which aims to give identity and distinction to the metodo classico, avoiding the current unavoidable confusion with the other numerous Oltrepadane appellations and allowing to start more effective promotion and positioning policies on national and international markets. Secondly, the introduction for the first time of MGAs, which in conjunction with the stricter rules allow special visibility to the most vocated areas.
Massimo Barbieri Speaks
“We are proud of the result achieved, because now the quality of the classic method of Oltrepò Pavese finds an important voice in the specification.” Says Consortium Vice President and Torrevilla President Massimo Barbieri. “We have introduced some of the most restrictive rules in Italy, from hand-picking in boxes to tightening key quality parameters, such as acidity and minimum aging. An absolute guarantee to ensure an absolute level of excellence for all the products that will come out under the appellation.”
The word from Fabiano Giorgi
The choice went to “Classese” also thanks to the important availability of the Wine District and its President Fabiano Giorgi, owners of Giorgi Wines. “It is a pleasure to rediscover unity of purpose and to highlight it. The Classese brand was born to identify the Oltrepadano classic method from Pinot Noir. Today, thanks to the agreement between the Consortium and the District, it is on its way to becoming a full-fledged appellation, which will be able to guide the rebirth of winemaking in our territory.”
Umberto Callegari
Very satisfied Umberto Callegari, CEO of Terre d’Oltrepò, the largest winery in the area, as well as of the Consortium, whose votes are always diriment in terms of decision-making. ” In recent months we have worked tirelessly to bring value back to the supply chain, building a solid foundation for the future. It is a complex journey, made up of courageous choices and daily commitment, but the progress is tangible. Finding cohesion and unity is the real challenge, but also the only road to a sustainable future for the territory. It takes vision, responsibility and the determination of those who believe this land deserves more. And we will continue to work for this, without fear of change, which for Oltrepò is the only way for a true and lasting revival.”
