Lombardy, our Lombardia in Italian, occupies a large territory in the centre of northern Italy. It is best known for the traditional method sparkling Franciacorta as well as the cool climate reds of Valtellina.
Were it not for the impressive commercial success of [Franciacorta](/appellation/franciacorta-docg) over recent years, [Lombardy](/region/lombardy) could be deemed one of the least exciting wine regions in [Italy](/country/italy). Of course, such a simplistic view doesn’t hold much weight once the wine lover starts to scratch beneath the surface. Lombardy is a region of incredible diversity and there is undoubtedly a litany of strong producers making good quality wine. Although many are labelled with highly localised appellations, they can be well worth seeking out. Located in the centre of Northern Italy, the region is completley landlocked, bordered to the west by [Piedmont](/region/piedmont), [Veneto](/region/veneto) to the east and the warmer [Emilia Romagna](/region/emilia-romagna) to the south. Further north, over the Alps, is [Switzerland](/country/switzerland) and [Ticino](/appellation/ticino-doc). Lombardy, or Lombardia in Italian, is a large region that extends some considerable way south into the flat plains of the Po Valley. Temperatures are typically hot here but are moderated by the large bodies of water that are collectively known as the Italian lakes. The [Oltrepo Pavese DOC](/appellation/oltrepo-pavese-doc) is responsible for plenty of easy drinking wines, although to confuse matters there have been some breakaway appellations formed in a bid to highlight the charms of both the [Croatina](/croatina) and the [Barbera](/barbera) variety. To compound international confusion these go by the names [Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese](/appellation/bonarda-dell-oltrepo-pavese-doc) and [Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepò Pavese DOC](/appellation/buttafuoco-delloltrepo-pavese-doc). Growers in this area tend to utilise the benefits and facilities of local cooperatives - which means quality can vary. One of the main issues for Lombardy is that the grapes it cultivates are seriously out of fashion. Barbera is the most dispersed, but somehow lacks the appeal it does when grown around [Asti](/appellation/barbera-dasti-docg) and [Alba](/appellation/barbera-dalba-doc) to the north west. Even so, there are plenty of good value everyday wines to be found. Croatina also represents the region, and is capable of making interesting wines. Sadly, it is known locally as Bonarda, which is then wrongly confused with [Bonarda Piemontese](/bonarda-piemontese), an altogether distinct grape. Although not particularly well known outside of serious wine circles, the red wines of [Valtellina](/appellation/valtellina-superiore-docg) offer some of the finest expressions of [Nebbiolo](/nebbiolo) in the world. Known locally as [Chiavennasca](/chiavennasca), the grape has found an affinity with the steep, high-altitude slopes that characterise the terrain to the very north of the region. There are three appellations here, but the very best wines tend to be labelled under the DOCG [Sfursat di Valtellina](/appellation/sfursat-di-valtellina-docg). The Italian Lakes offer incredible scenery and the wines produced around Lake Garda offer some of Lombardy’s most fashionable. [Lugana](/appellation/lugana-doc) is generally considered to be an appellation of Veneto as this is where the majority of the bottlers are found. Nevertheless, a high proportion of the [Turbiana](/turbiana) vineyards are located across the border in Lombardy. The same can be said of the [Garda DOC](/appellation/garda-doc).
Located close to the Swiss border, the Alpi Retiche IGP is by producers in the north of Lombardy, particularly in the appellation of
Read more ▸Bonarda dell’Oltrepò Pavese is a red wine produced with the Croatina grape which is rather confusingly known as Bonarda in Lombardy. There is a completely different variety called
Read more ▸Botticino is a long established but unfashionable DOC wine releasing red wines from Barbera and Marzemino.
Read more ▸Buttafuoco dell’Oltrepò Pavese DOC, sometimes shortened to Buttafuoco DOC, is a red wine appellation in Lombardy for Barbera and Croatina.
Read more ▸Capriano del Colle is a little known appellation in Lombardy making white wine from Trebbiano and red wines from Marzemino and Merlot.
Read more ▸Casteggio DOC is a small red wine appellation in Lombardy focussing on the Barbera variety but allowing for blending with Croatina, Pinot Nero,...
Read more ▸Cellatica DOC is a very small red wine appellation in Lombardy that partners Barbera and Marzemino. It also includes a minor portion of Schia...
Read more ▸Curtefranca is a DOC wine in Lombardy producing red and white wine from international varieties such as Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot. It ...
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Franciacorta is Italy's spotlight sparkling wine. Produced using the traditional Champagne varieties of Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco and...
Read more ▸Lambrusco Mantovano DOC is a red wine appellation in Lombardy. It focusses on the Lambrusco Maestri variety requiring at least 85% in any red and rose blend.
Read more ▸Sometimes known simply as Scanzo DOCG, this small appellation covers the production of red sweet wines made from the Moscato Nero grape.
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The Oltrepò Pavese is a relatively large area of the Province of Pavia, in the north-west Italian region of Lombardy producing a range of different wine styles. The red
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The traditional method sparkling wines of Oltrepò Pavese are amongst Lombardy’s most elegant wines. Although highly regarded for their ability to capture both finesse and flavour, they remain frequently overshadow...
Read more ▸Rosso di Valtellina DOC is traditionally the entry level denomination for red wines made in Valtellina. Always produced from a minimum of 90% Nebbiolo, or Chiavennasca as it is known locally.
Read more ▸San Colombano al Lambro DOC is a small appellation producing wines from Chardonnay, Barbera, Croatina and Pinot Nero.
Read more ▸San Martino della Battaglia DOC is a small appellation close to the southern shores of Lake Garda producing a dry white wine. It is made exclusively from the local Tuchì (Friulano) grape.
Read more ▸Sfursat di Valtellina, or in Italian, Sforzato di Valtellina, was upgraded to DOCG status in 2003. It is produced with a minimum of 90% Chiavennasca (the local name for Nebbiolo.
Read more ▸Terre del Colleoni, sometimes shortened to Colleoni DOC, is a red and white wine appellation known mainly for wines from Chardonnay and Cabernet Sauvignon.
Read more ▸Valcalepio DOC is a red and white appellation producing wines from Chardonnay, Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon.
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Valtellina Superiore is one of the great red wines of northern Italy, produced with 100% Nebbiolo, or Chiavennasca as it is known locally, it is known for its ability...
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