The Wines of Lombardy

Some of the best wine in Milan and from the surrounding Lombardy region

The Milan area is not particularly renowned for its wines—at least not within Italy, and not when compared to the great wine-growing areas that surround it (Piemonte to the west, Veneto to the east, and Tuscany a few regions to the south). Every local restaurant, even the most basic, will feature a hearty list of wines from these bacchanalian neighbors, but you should at some point try a few of the less-renowned regional wines.

Among the good local reds is Milan's own modest San Colombano (nothing extraordinary, but not bad for a wine made amidst the industrial suburbs of a river-plain metropolis). There's also a decent DOC Cab-Merlot blend from the Franciacorta region, and a meaty red called Valtellina made from a nebbiolo varietal in the sheltered hills surrounding Lake Como (one powerful label is dubbed "Inferno").

The best wine of the Garda Bresciano family is the ruby-colored and berry-flavored Gropello (it has a rosé cousin called Chiaretto from the Mincio valley leading to Mantova). One of Lombardy's unique oenological products are fizzy red wines, including the thick, dark, and wonderfully cheap Lambrusco from Mantova  (great with pizza) and the lighter, tangier Oltrepò Pavese from the shores of Lake Garda.

Regional whites include the well-balanced Trebbiano-based Lugana, tart San Martino della Battaglia made from Friuli's Tocai grapes, and a DOC Chardonnay-Pinot from Franciacorta. Lombardy does boast Italy's only DOCG (the mark of highest quality in Italian wines) sparkling white, from Franciacorta; try the Saten label.

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This material was last updated December 2010. All information was accurate at the time.

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