Lombardy

Lombardia’s average annual production of 140 million litres is characterised by a high quality production with 5 DOCG, 22 DOC and 15 IGT which represent 60% of the total production. Lombardy boasts high favourable places for vines in a region where the Alpine climate is tempered by the lakes of Garda, Iseo, Como and Maggiore in the North, and the Apennines to the South.

Francia Corta DOCG produces some of the finest sparkling wines of Europe in the volcanic hills south of Lake Iseo. Nearly a third of Italy’s bottle-fermented sparkling wine is produced in the province of Brescia, but only wines from choice vineyards in the zone qualify as Franciacorta DOCG. Curtefranca is the DOC for other wines of Franciacorta: red from Merlot and Cabernet and white from Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and Pinot Nero.

Valtellina’s rugged slopes produce red wines from Nebbiolo (here called Chiavennasca). DOCG has been granted to Valtellina Superiore and its five sub-districts (Grumello, Inferno, Maroggia, Sassella and Valgella). DOCG now applies to Sforzato or Sfursat di Valtellina, soaringly rich reds made from semi-dried or passito grapes. The rare and prized sweet Moscato di Scanzo, from a village near Bergamo has recently been promoted to DOCG.

Lombardy’s most productive zone, Oltrepo’ Pavese, is Italy’s leading source of Pinot Nero grapes for the production of sparkling wine under the DOCG of Oltrepo’ Pavese Metodo Classico. Only a fraction of the wine produced annually in Oltrepo’ Pavese is sold as DOC. Yet, some very good wines are made there, not only Pinots but robust Barbera, Bonarda and Oltrepo’ Pavese Rosso, plus fruity white Rieslings and Moscatos.

The province of Brescia boasts a majority of the region’s DOC/DOCGs: Botticino, Capriano del Colle, Cellatica, Franciacorta, Curtefranca, Garda Bresciano and the three zones that share territory with Veneto: Garda, Lugana and San Martino della Battaglia.