Lombardy and its wines

The Lombardy is one of the most versatile wine regions in Italy, located in the north of the country and characterised by a great variety of soils, microclimates and winemaking traditions. The region is famous for producing metodo classico sparkling wines, elegant red wines e mineral, fresh whites.

The jewel in Lombardy’s crown is the Franciacorta DOCG, which produces some of Italy's finest traditional method sparkling wines, able to compete with Champagne. Other leading appellations include the Valtellina Superiore DOCG, which gives rise to mountain Nebbiolo of extraordinary finesse, and the Lugana DOC, a fresh, savoury white produced on the shores of Lake Garda.

What is the Lombardy wine district?

Lombardy boasts a winegrowing heritage that includes 5 DOCG, 21 DOC and 15 IGT, with production areas ranging from the hills of Franciacorta to the Alps of Valtellina, from Lake Garda and Lake Iseo to the plains of the Oltrepò Pavese.

The main DOCG and DOC appellations include:

• Franciacorta DOCG → Metodo classico of the very highest level.
• Valtellina Superiore DOCG → Elegant, long-lived mountain Nebbiolo.
• Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG → Nebbiolo passito, powerful and complex.
• Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG → Elegant sparkling wines from Pinot Nero.
• Lugana DOC → Mineral, fresh white, produced between Lombardy and Veneto.

The Great Wine Areas of Lombardy

1. Franciacorta

• Main grape varieties: Chardonnay, Pinot Nero, Pinot Bianco.
• Style: Elegant, complex, long-lived Metodo Classico sparkling wines.
• Appellation: Franciacorta DOCG.

2. Valtellina

• Main grape variety: Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca).
• Style: Refined mountain reds, with great longevity.
• Famous appellations: Valtellina Superiore DOCG, Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG.

3. Oltrepò Pavese

• Main grape varieties: Pinot Nero, Croatina, Barbera.
• Style: Metodo Classico sparkling wines, structured reds and traditional frizzante wines.
• Famous appellations: Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG, Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese DOC.

4. Lake Garda and Lugana

• Main grape varieties: Turbiana (Trebbiano di Lugana).
• Style: Mineral, fresh, long-lived whites.
• Appellation: Lugana DOC.

5. Colli Mantovani and Garda Lombardo

• Main grape varieties: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Garganega.
• Style: Fruity reds and aromatic whites.
• Famous appellations: Garda DOC, San Martino della Battaglia DOC.

Characteristics of the Wines of Lombardy

Colour

• Sparkling wines: Straw yellow with golden highlights, fine and persistent bubbles.
• Reds: Bright ruby red, with garnet tones in the aged wines.
• Whites: Straw yellow with greenish shades.

Aromas

• Fruity: Citrus and green apple in the sparkling wines; cherry and berries in the reds.
• Floral: White flowers in the whites; violet in the Nebbiolos of Valtellina.
• Spicy and Mineral: Notes of bread crust in the Franciacorta wines, black pepper in the reds.

Palate

• Fresh and Creamy: In the Franciacorta wines, with balanced acidity and length.
• Elegant and Structured: In the Valtellina Nebbiolos, with fine tannins and a long finish.
• Mineral and Savoury: In the Lugana wines, with vibrant acidity and great drinkability.

Typical Grape Varieties of Lombardy

White Grape Varieties

• Chardonnay: The base for Franciacorta sparkling wines.
• Pinot Bianco: Used in blends to give finesse to sparkling wines.
• Turbiana: The variety of Lugana, aromatic and mineral.

Black Grape Varieties

• Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca): Elegant and long-lived, the star of Valtellina.
• Pinot Nero: Used both for sparkling wines and for refined red wines.
• Croatina: Fruity and spicy, typical of the Oltrepò Pavese.

Why Choose a Wine from Lombardy?

A wine from the Lombardy represents the excellence and versatility of Italian production. Perfect for pairing with aperitifs, fish dishes, aged cheeses and dishes of the Lombard tradition, Lombardy's wines range from traditional method sparkling wines to mountain reds, through to mineral whites and complex passiti.