Lombardy
Every year, Lombardy pours forth 140 million liters of wine, a testament to its rich viticultural heritage, accounting for a modest yet significant 2.5% of Italy's total production. But numbers only tell part of the tale. What truly sets Lombardy's wines apart is their soul, their connection to the land, and the centuries-old craftsmanship that infuses each bottle with character and charm.
Among the verdant expanses of Lombardy's 22,000 hectares of vineyards lie secrets waiting to be uncorked. Here, in the heart of Italy's wine country, the air is imbued with the scent of ripe grapes and the promise of something extraordinary. It's a land divided into five prestigious DOCG and 21 DOC areas, each with its own story to tell and its own flavors to offer.
Redolent with history and tradition, Lombardy's vineyards boast an impressive array of grape varieties. From the robust Barbera to the elegant Nebbiolo, from the velvety Merlot to the nuanced Pinot Nero, each grape tells a story of its own, a story of resilience and adaptation in the face of changing times.
But it is not just the reds that shine in Lombardy's sun-drenched vineyards. Among the vines, the white varieties—Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, and Trebbiano—hold court, their delicate flavors dancing on the palate like a symphony of notes, each one adding depth and complexity to the wines they create.
Yet, despite the region's abundance and diversity, Lombardy's wines often find themselves overlooked, relegated to the shadows by their more famous counterparts from Piedmont and Veneto. But therein lies the beauty of Lombardy's wine country—the hidden gems, the unsung heroes waiting to be discovered by those willing to venture off the beaten path.
FACTS:
Capital: Milan
Vineyard: approx. 21,500 hectares
Total production/year: around 120 million litres
Share of Italian viticulture: 2.4%.
