The Top Wines of the Lombardy Region
What are Lombardy's best wines?...Franciacorta vineyards
The Lombardy region of northern Italy is the home of one out of six Italians. It is also the home of three DOCG wines, Franciacorta, Sforzato di Valtellina also known as Sfursat di Valtellina, and Valtellina Superiore.
Franciacorta
Franciacorta is a light yellow sparkling wine with 12% to 13% alcohol. It is made in the same way as French Champagne. Franciacorta's price reflects the labor-intensive, lengthy production process required to make it. Franciacorta is widely considered Italy's best sparking wine. Like French Champagne, it may be made from white Chardonnay grapes and red Pinot Noir grapes. Unlike French Champagne, Franciacorta may not include the red Pinot Meunier grape, but instead may include the white Pinot Blanc grape. The exact proportions vary according to the specific wine style. Franciacorta is aged in the bottle for a minimum of 18 months and may be sold 25 months after the youngest grapes in the mix have fermented. Franciacorta Millesimato is aged in the bottle for a minimum of 37 months after the youngest grapes in the mix have fermented. Consume this wine within a year of purchase. Serve it at 45-49 degrees Fahrenheit (8-10 degrees Centigrade). Some still wines from this same small area in Lombardy carry the Terre di Franciacorta DOC appellation. While the permitted grape varieties and production methods are different from the sparkling Franciacorta, these wines may be worthwhile but tend to be somewhat pricey given their DOC classification.
Sforzato di Valtellina wine bottle
Sforzato di Valtellina
Sforzato di Valtellina, also known as Sfursat di Valtellina, is a brilliant red wine made in a valley about 100 kilometers northeast of Milan just south of the Swiss border. This area was already known for making fine wines prior to the Roman Empire. Its wines were cited by famous Latin authors including Cato the Elder, Martial, Pliny, and Virgil. This particular wine is made from ripe local Nebbiolo grapes that dry on straw mats for three or four months, a process similar to making Amarone in the Veneto region of Italy. Some producers age the wine in small French oak barrels, while others use large Slavonian oak casks. Its minimum alcohol content is 14.5%. Serve this wine at 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit (16-18 degrees Centigrade).
Valtellina Superiore wine bottle
Valtellina Superiore
Valtellina Superiore is a ruby red wine with a tendency to maroon. It is made in the same valley as the previous wine, but the grapes aren't dried prior to fermentation. These grapes are at least 90% Nebbiolo, with a possible 10% of local red varieties. The minimum alcohol content is 12%. Valtellina Superiore is aged for a minimum of two years with at least one year in wood. The Riserva wines must be aged for a minimum of three years. These wines may be cellared for 5-15 years. Serve this wine at 60-64 degrees Fahrenheit (16-18 degrees Centigrade). Open a few hours before serving.
See I Love Italian Wine and Food - The Lombardy Region for a review of a red Valtellina Superiore wine from this region.