The best wines from Lombardy in Italy

Lombardy, in the Milan-Bergamo-Brescia triangle, is traditionally a producer of grapes that are pressed into wine elsewhere. They are served in Milanese cafes. Usually not very exciting wines. But there are two major exceptions: the sparkling Franciacorta and the beautiful red wines from the Nebbioloa grape from Valtellinna.

Not all of Lombardy is suitable for wine growing. Large parts of the Po Valley are more suitable for growing corn or grain. Only on the southern slopes of Lombardy do the grapes reach full ripeness. Many then go to Piemonte or other regions where large wineries press them into house wine.

Franciacorta

The most important exception is Franciacorta DOCG. A sparkling white wine and perhaps the best in Italy. Like Champagne, Franciacorta undergoes a second fermentation in the bottle. This 'tradition' has existed since 1961, when Guido Berlucchi - at the time one of the most important winemakers in the region - made his first sparkling wine. It was a resounding success. Not only the method but also the grapes were 'copied' from Champagne: Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and sometimes a little Pinot Gris. Because Lombardy is warmer and sunnier than Champagne, these Italian 'Champagnes' have a relatively rich taste.

Valtellina and Buttafuoco

To claim that only Franciacorta is worth it in Lombardy would be to do an injustice to several small, committed winemakers from the region. Wines from the Chiavennascas (Nebbiolo) from Valtellina can also be particularly worthwhile, for example if the grapes - just like with an Amarone - have been dried down a little to a Sfursat or Sforzato. Before the rise of Franciacorta, Valtellina was qualitatively the most important district of Lombardy. The Fracia, Dassela, Grumello, Valgella and Inferno are the best-regarded red wines from Valtellina. The sometimes slightly sparkling red Buttafuoco wines from Croatina and Barbera grapes can also offer a lot of drinking pleasure.