Provinces: Milan, Bergamo, Brescia, Como, Cremona,
Lecco, Lodi, Mantova, Pavia, Sondrio, Varese
Italy’s most populous and prosperous region is
not as well known for wine as are its neighbours of Piedmont
and the Veneto. Yet Lombardy has privileged places where
vines excel between the Alps and the Apennines.
To the
southwest is the Oltrepò Pavese, whose vineyards
have been perennial suppliers of everyday wines to Milan.
The Oltrepò deserves wider prestige for the improved
quality of its reds and whites, as well as for classic
spumante from Pinot grapes.
To the north is the alpine
Valtellina, whose subzones of Grumello, Inferno, Sassella
and Valgella cover reds from Nebbiolo under the Valtellina
Superiore D.O.C.G., though perhaps its best wine is the
rich red Sforzato or Sfursat from partly dried grapes.
To the east are the provinces of Brescia, Bergamo and
Mantova with a majority of the region’s classified
zones. Near Brescia is Franciacorta, source of Italy’s
most prestigious sparkling wine under its D.O.C.G.
To
the east are the zones of Lugana, noted for its white,
and four zones that carry the name of Lake Garda, which
divides Lombardy from the Veneto.
Useful contacts:
Movimento del Turismo del Vino - Via
Sforza, 55 - San Colombano al Lambro (MI) - Tel.: 0039
0371 897 7540 - http://www.wineday.org |
