Lombardy

Lombardy, a powerhouse of Italy's economy, is also a significant contributor to the country's viticulture. The vineyards draped over the hills of Oltrepò Pavese and Brescia, the stark terrains of Valtellina, and other scattered regions have been fertile grounds for vine cultivation since times immemorial. Each year, approximately 1,227,000 hl of wine is produced in Lombardy, with red wines accounting for 70% of the production.
Franciacorta, Lombardy's sparkling wine with a DOCG classification, is a jewel in its crown. It is primarily made from Chardonnay and undergoes refermentation in the bottle. Another notable DOCG wine is the Oltrepò Pavese Metodo Classico, predominantly made from Pinot Noir, which produces commendable red wines in this region.
The Oltrepò Pavese region is known for its diverse vine varieties. It boasts of white grapes such as Chardonnay, Italic Riesling, Pinot Grigio, White Muscat, and Malvasia. However, the region's identity is defined by its red varieties - Barbera and Croatina, often used to create delightful sparkling wines with a unique nuance.
Aside from Franciacorta, Brescia is also home to the Curtefranca DOC, which produces intriguing red and white still wines primarily from international grape varieties. The region of Garda Bresciano is known for its red wines made from Groppello.
Further north in Valtellina, Nebbiolo or 'Chiavennasca' as it is locally known, is cultivated. Despite being outside Piedmont's borders, Valtellina's environment perfectly suits Nebbiolo, resulting in wines with an excellent structure and longevity, especially the DOCG Valtellina Superiore and Sforzato di Valtellina, the latter obtained by partially drying the grapes.