Wine from Lombardy
Lombardy
Lombardy, with its capital Milan, borders Switzerland to the north, with the shores of Lake Lugano and Lake Maggiore partly on Italian soil. What is completely overlooked is that Lombardy is an extremely diverse wine-growing region and one of the most exciting wine regions in Italy. Would you like to explore?
First of all, it is worth mentioning here the often misunderstood cultivation area of the Terrazze Retiche, or rather, of the entire Valtellina. Here, Nebbiolo thrives spectacularly and almost obliviously on the slopes, over dry stone walls. Well-known names? Inferno, Sassella or Grumello. On the other hand, the region around the lakes such as Lago di Garda, Lago Maggiore, Lago di Como or Lago d'Iseo is fascinating. Besides Milan, Pavia, Brescia, Como, Desenzano del Garda or Bergamo are among the most important cities in the region. Speaking of Bergamo, do you know the small winery Castello degli Angeli? Highly recommended, and one more thing: the Vergani family is also originally from Bergamo. Particularly worth mentioning - speaking of Lombardy as a wine-growing region - are the sparkling wines of Franciacorta.
Valtellina is certainly one of the most remarkable regions of Italy and Lombardy. At the state level, it belongs to Lombardy, but the region is so peculiar that it is a category unto itself as far as wine is concerned. The main grape variety grown in the Alpine region is Nebbiolo. The grapes are processed, among other things, as is known from Veneto, Lake Garda and around Verona. The grapes are dried before pressing. This produces the more concentrated Sforzato di Valtellina DOCG. But also the classically vinified Valtellina Superiore DOCG convinces connoisseurs and critics with its elegant depth and its mineral, acidic and incomparable character.
The region around Bergamo is not known for its wine and certainly not for DOC wine and DOCG wines. It is precisely this fact that, when we talk about wine, makes the region so exciting for us. From our point of view, great wines do come from here, as the winery Castello degli Angeli impressively proves every year anew. Actually, wine is only produced here for the estate's own needs, i.e. for the associated hotel, but that's just it. We are fans of Chardonnay, Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot from Bergamo. Home remains home.
Mineral white wines, mainly from the white grape variety Trebbiano di Lugana, are produced on this side of Lake Garda. An excellent grape for the production of high quality white wine but also sparkling wine. Sparkling wine from Lake Garda is traditionally fermented in the bottle, which gives it fullness and depth. Viticulture on Lake Garda enjoys a long tradition and so it is hardly surprising that not only storable white wines but also expressive red wines can be produced here. Another specialty? Of course, the Chiaretto. A fresh, seductive rosé wine with structure and spice.
What Champagne is to France, Franciacorta is to Italy. When it comes to sparkling wines of the highest quality, they usually come from Franciacorta. The region is located by Lago d'Iseo, the fourth largest lake in northern Italy, situated between Lago di Como and Lago di Garda. Franciacorta sparkling wines are made from Pinot Noir, Pinot Blanc and Chardonnay grapes. It is produced in the classic way, i.e. by bottle fermentation. This is what gives it its typical yeasty notes. One of the largest and most important producers of this region is Ca' del Bosco. The house has helped the wine-growing area in the region of Lombardy to international splendor. In Italy and in many other countries, the sparkling wines of Ca' del Bosco are at the top of the best list.