Ca Montebello di Scarani Luigi 'Sangue di Giuda' Oltrepo Pavese, Lombardy, Italy

Fresh wild strawberry, crushed raspberry, and a gentle sparkle rise immediately from the glass, framed by a soft, creamy mousse and a lightly sweet finish. Ca Montebello di Scarani Luigi 'Sangue di Giuda' Oltrepo Pavese, Lombardy, Italy, from 2024 emerges from a vintage in Oltrepò Pavese defined by a wet spring, attentive canopy management, and a balanced late summer that preserved aromatic lift while moderating sugar accumulation. Local agricultural reports from Lombardy described 2024 as a season requiring vigilance due to early disease pressure, yet one that ultimately delivered healthy fruit with bright acidity and expressive aromatics, particularly favorable for lightly sparkling and aromatic reds. Within this context, the Scarani family continued their multigenerational focus on traditional Oltrepò varieties, maintaining stylistic continuity in a wine deeply rooted in local celebratory culture.

Product Details:

• Winemaker: Luigi Scarani
• ABV: 7.5%
• Grapes: Croatina, Barbera, Uva Rara, Vespolina
• Style: Lightly sparkling red wine
• Farming: Estate-grown

Sensory Description:

The 2024 growing season in Oltrepò Pavese followed a more irregular 2023 marked by significant climatic stress across northern Italy. Compared to 2023, which often produced reduced yields and uneven ripening, 2024 offered improved balance and more consistent phenolic development. While not as warm or concentrated as certain earlier benchmark vintages, 2024 favored freshness and aromatic precision, qualities particularly well suited to the Sangue di Giuda style.

In the glass, this wine presents vivid aromas of ripe strawberry, red cherry, raspberry compote, and rose petal, accented by a subtle herbal undertone. The palate is gently effervescent, with soft sweetness balanced by vibrant acidity. Notes of red berries, pomegranate, and a touch of spice glide across a supple, lightly frothy texture. The natural acidity keeps the sweetness in check, preventing heaviness and allowing the wine to finish clean, playful, and refreshingly bright. The moderate alcohol and preserved freshness reflect the season’s tempered ripening conditions.

Winemaker’s Background:

Ca Montebello di Scarani Luigi is a family estate in Oltrepò Pavese with deep agricultural roots and a longstanding dedication to local grape varieties. The Scarani family has maintained traditional production methods while modernizing cellar hygiene and temperature control to ensure aromatic clarity and stylistic consistency. Sangue di Giuda, historically associated with festive local consumption, remains one of the estate’s emblematic wines, crafted to preserve regional identity and approachability rather than pursue international styling.

Serving Suggestions:

Serve well chilled at 45 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit in a tulip-shaped glass to preserve its delicate effervescence and highlight aromatic lift. Pair with cured meats, aged salumi, spicy Asian cuisine, berry desserts, dark chocolate, or holiday pastries. It also works beautifully as an aperitivo or alongside sharp cheeses, where sweetness and acidity create balance.