Ep 575: Lombardy, Italy

Aug 20, 2025

Discover the hidden wine gems of Lombardy, a region better known for fashion than its fine vintages. Explore the exceptional Franciacorta, deemed Italy's best sparkling wine, alongside refreshing whites from Lugana and complex reds from Valtellina. Unravel the history and unique terroir that shape these wines, influenced by the breathtaking landscape and local cuisine. Get ready to pair delicious wines with classics like osso bucco and risotto, and prepare yourself for a delightful journey into Lombardy's lesser-known but fascinating wine culture.

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INSIGHT

Franciacorta Put Lombardy On The Map

Franciacorta is Lombardy's signature wine region known for metodo classico sparkling wines from Chardonnay, Pinot Noir, and Pinot Bianco.
It elevated Lombardy's reputation in recent decades and is often compared favorably to Champagne.

ADVICE

Choose Franciacorta By Ageing Terms

Seek Franciacorta for high-quality Italian sparkling made by the traditional method and expect higher prices due to longer ageing and production costs.
Look for aging terms (non-vintage, vintage, Riserva) to gauge lees contact and complexity.

INSIGHT

Oltrepò Is Lombardy's Workhorse

Oltrepò Pavese produces over half of Lombardy's wine and specializes in Pinot Noir for sparkling and a wide mix of reds and whites.
The region revives native varieties while also growing Barbera, Croatina (Bonarda), and international grapes.

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This week I cover Lombardy/Lombardia, one of the smaller wine production areas of Italy. Lombardy, home to the cities of Milan, Bergamo and Brescia is known far more for its fashion, its industry, and osso bucco and risotto alla Milanese than it is for its wines, but there are some gems to be discovered.

Photo: Lugana Credit: Consorzio Lugana

Because there is limited availability of these wines, I only cover the major regions that you may encounter and discuss the terrain of Lombardy and the terroir of each of the fine wine regions.

Lombardy is known in the wine world primarily for Franciacorta, the sparkling wine made in the Champagne method, which has been called the best sparkling wine of Italy. But Lombardy is is more than just Franciacorta. There are exceptional sparkling, sweet, and still wines of Oltrepò Pavese in the southwest of the region, complex reds from the Alpine area of Valtellina on the Swiss border, tasty, refreshing whites from Lugana near Lake Garda, and other interesting regions that have significant production.

Photo: Valtellina. Credit: Consorzio Valtellina

I hope you enjoy this look at one of the smaller wine producing areas of Italy and, more importantly, that you can use this info if you ever see these wines on the shelf or (more fun!) find yourself in Lake Garda or Lake Como or Milano with some time and desire to explore the wines of this beautiful place!

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