Lombardy
Home of the fashion capital of Milan, Lombardy is not quite Italy's capital of wine. It is, however, home to a few
wines worth noting.
Most vineyards are far north, far south or far east. First, in the south, the sparkling wine Franciacorta – this
sparkling wine is
made in the methode champagnoise and the better wineries produce wine that can hold it's own in a quality bubbly line up.
Lugana, a pleasant, white wine made from Trebbiano, comes from Lombardy as well. Lean reds from the Nebbiolo grape are
made further
up in the Valtelliana region, near the Alps.
Emilia-Romagna
The region of Emilia-Romagna is better known for its food rather than wine. Most of the wine coming from this region
is the red, slightly-fizzy Lambrusco.
It's high in acid and best drunk young. The white coming out of the region is mostly Albana di Romagna. Made from the
albana grape, it's typically dry and pleasant, although not found often.
Umbria
Talk about being in the center of things… the land-locked region of Umbria is smack dab in the middle of the country.
The most familiar white wine of the region is Orvieto, named for the medieval Etruscan town. It's a Trebbiano-based wine with good
fruit flavors and high acid. Originally a sweet wine, most Orvietos are now dry. Red wine from Umbria includes Torgiano
and Montefalco - Torgiano made from the grapes of Chianti, while Montefalco uses the native sagrantino grape, making big
and bold reds.