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Lombardy
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Lombardy (Lombardia)
Lombardy is one of Italy’s most geographically and stylistically diverse wine regions, ranging from the Alpine terraces of Valtellina to the glacial moraines of Franciacorta, the limestone-clay hills of Oltrepò Pavese, and the clay-limestone soils of Lugana near Lake Garda.
Its strengths include:
- Alpine Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) in Valtellina
- Traditional-method sparkling wines from Franciacorta and Oltrepò Pavese
- Pinot Noir (Pinot Nero) in both sparkling and still forms
- Turbiana-based whites in Lugana
- Distinctive regional reds (Barbera, Croatina, Uva Rara)
Total vineyard area is approximately 22,000–23,000 ha, split across multiple DOCG and DOC appellations.
1. Climate & Terroir
Alpine North — Valtellina
- Steep terraced vineyards (350–900+ m).
- Strong diurnal shift → slow Nebbiolo ripening, precise acidity.
- Dry mountain winds reduce disease pressure.
Lake Regions — Franciacorta, Lugana
- Lakes Iseo and Garda moderate temperature extremes.
- Franciacorta: glacial moraines (gravel, sand, silt, limestone fragments).
- Lugana: heavy clay + limestone → slow ripening, high extract.
Oltrepò Pavese
- Rolling hills south of the Po River.
- Limestone and clay ideal for Pinot Nero and Barbera.
- More humidity than Alpine zones; canopy management essential.
Climate Drivers
- Ora del Garda (warm afternoon breeze)
- Alpine downdrafts in Valtellina
- Moderate rainfall but rapid drying in mountain areas
2. Key Grapes (Expert Table)
| Variety | Colour | Skin | Ripening | Preferred Soils | Hazards | Traits & Styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nebbiolo (Chiavennasca) | Black | Thin | Late | Schist, granite | Hydric stress, sunburn | Pale colour, high acidity, fine tannins, Alpine herbs |
| Pinot Nero | Black | Thin | Early | Limestone, marl | Sunburn, rot | Red fruit, spice; key for still + sparkling wines |
| Barbera | Black | Thick | Mid–late | Clay-limestone | Downy mildew | High acidity, dark fruit; Oltrepò blends |
| Croatina (Bonarda) | Black | Thick | Mid | Clay, loam | Rot if overcropped | Deep colour, spice, full-bodied in blends |
| Uva Rara / Vespolina | Black | Thin | Mid–late | Poor, rocky soils | Rot | Aromatic lift in blends |
| Turbiana (Trebbiano di Soave) | White | Medium | Mid | Clay-limestone | Mildew | Mineral, citrus, saline; Lugana DOC |
| Chardonnay | White | Thin | Early | Morainic gravel | Frost | Base for Franciacorta; citrus, apple, brioche with age |
| Pinot Bianco | White | Thin | Early–mid | Chalk, moraines | Sunburn | Crisp orchard fruit; structured sparkling base |
| Moscato di Scanzo | Black | Thin | Late | Morainic soils | Rot | Rare sweet red; rose, spice |
3. Subregion Comparative Table
| Subregion / DOCG / DOC | Main Grapes | Soils | Key Producers | Typical Yields | Harvest Window | Styles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Valtellina Superiore DOCG | Nebbiolo | Granite, schist | Ar.Pe.Pe., Rainoldi, Nino Negri | Low (5–7 t/ha) | Oct–Nov | Structured Alpine Nebbiolo |
| Sfursat di Valtellina DOCG | Nebbiolo (dried) | Granite, schist | Ar.Pe.Pe., Nino Negri | Very low | Nov | Powerful dried-grape Nebbiolo |
| Franciacorta DOCG | Chardonnay, Pinot Nero | Glacial moraines | Ca’ del Bosco, Bellavista, Berlucchi | ~10–11 t/ha | Early Aug–Sept | Traditional-method sparkling |
| Franciacorta Satèn | Chardonnay | Moraines | Multiple | As above | Early Aug | Creamy, lower pressure sparkling |
| Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico DOCG | Pinot Nero | Clay-limestone | La Versa, Monsupello | ~11 t/ha | Early Sept | Traditional-method sparkling |
| Oltrepò Pavese DOC | PN, Barbera, Croatina | Clay-limestone | Travaglino, Castello di Cigognola | 10–12 t/ha | Sept–Oct | Still reds & base wines |
| Lugana DOC | Turbiana | Clay-limestone | Ca’ dei Frati, Ottella | 8–12 t/ha | Sept | Mineral whites; Riserva ages 10+ years |
| Valcalepio DOC | Cabernet/Merlot | Clay-limestone | La Rocchetta | 10–12 t/ha | Sept–Oct | Bordeaux-style reds |
| Moscato di Scanzo DOCG | Moscato di Scanzo | Morainic | Biava | Very low | Oct–Nov | Rare sweet red |
4. Regional Styles in Detail
Valtellina (Nebbiolo / Chiavennasca)
- Late-ripening; harvested into October/November.
- Herbal, red cherry, rose, Alpine spice.
- Long maceration, gentle extraction, ageing in large botti.
- Subzones: Sassella, Grumello, Inferno, Maroggia, Valgella.
Franciacorta (Traditional Method)
- Whole-bunch pressing; cuvée fractions used for base wine.
- Stainless steel or oak fermentation.
- Lees ageing:
- Non-vintage ≥18 months
- Vintage ≥30 months
- Riserva ≥60 months
- Styles: Brut Nature, Extra Brut, Brut, Satèn, Rosé.
Oltrepò Pavese
- Italy’s most extensive Pinot Nero zone.
- Still PN styles gaining recognition.
- Metodo Classico DOCG uses predominantly Pinot Nero.
Lugana
- Pure Turbiana
- Steel or part-oak; extended lees for Riserva.
- High extract, mineral tension, long ageing capacity.
5. Winemaking Approaches & Trends
Whites
- Stainless steel for purity; neutral oak for Chardonnay and Turbiana.
- Malolactic optional (rare in Franciacorta except for style reasons).
- Lees ageing central for sparkling and some Lugana.
Reds
- Nebbiolo: long macerations, large oak, minimal barrique.
- Pinot Nero: partial whole cluster, gentle extraction; oak restrained.
- Croatina/Barbera blends: moderate extraction, controlled yields.
Trends
- Lower dosage in Franciacorta.
- Revival of still Pinot Nero in Oltrepò.
- Renewed focus on terraced restoration in Valtellina.
- Biodynamic and amphora work on small estates.
6. Key Producers
Franciacorta: Ca’ del Bosco, Bellavista, Barone Pizzini, Berlucchi, Uberti
Valtellina: Ar.Pe.Pe., Rainoldi, Nino Negri, Mamete Prevostini
Oltrepò Pavese: Monsupello, La Versa, Travaglino, Castello di Cigognola
Lugana: Ca’ dei Frati, Ottella, Le Morette
Moscato di Scanzo: Biava
7. Wines to Seek Out
- Valtellina Superiore (Sassella, Inferno, Grumello)
- Sfursat di Valtellina
- Franciacorta Satèn and Millesimato
- Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico
- Still Pinot Nero (Oltrepò Pavese)
- Lugana Riserva
- Moscato di Scanzo DOCG
8. Summary
Lombardy unites Alpine Nebbiolo, world-class sparkling wines, structured reds, and mineral-driven whites.
Its terroir diversity—from granite terraces to glacial moraines and clay-limestone hills—supports some of Italy’s most distinctive and terroir-transparent wines.
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