Between Piedmont and the northeast regions sometimes collectively called the “Tre- Venezie” is the region of Lombardy, home to Italy’s finest sparkling wine region, Franciacorta, where vintners rely on the same grapes and techniques as those used in Champagne. Valtellina, near Switzerland, makes some good Nebbiolo. Garda, a region which Lombardy shares with Veneto, makes earthy wines from international and local grape variety.
Italy’s winemaking tradition is over there thousand years old, but its winemakers are anything but stuck in the past. Italian vintners are some of the most talented and innovative in the world, continuously working to improve their wines by applying modern techniques and experimenting with countless new and ancient grape varieties.