Lombardy
What makes it special
Lombardy keeps some of Italy's most distinctive wine behind the city of Milan. Franciacorta makes sparkling wine by the traditional method, Valtellina grows Nebbiolo on terraces in the Alps, and the Oltrepò Pavese grows a great deal of Italy's Pinot Nero.
What makes it unique
Valtellina is heroic viticulture in the literal sense: south facing terraces held up by dry stone walls climb the side of an Alpine valley, and much of the work is still done by hand. Sforzato di Valtellina is made from Nebbiolo dried after the harvest, an Alpine cousin of Amarone.
Why you should care
Lombardy rarely gets the attention its neighbours do, which keeps prices sensible. Valtellina in particular is one of the best places in Italy to taste mountain Nebbiolo without paying Barolo money.
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