Lombardia is not exactly a household name even with aficinados of Italian wines but the region is home to some of Italy's finest wines. This Provence is located in the center of Northern Italy, bounded by Piemonte, Emilia-Romagna, the vast Veneto and in the northeast by Trentino Alto-Adige. It is the home of both Milano, Lake Garda, Lago Maggiore, Lake Lugano and Lake Como, whose breezes help moderate temperatures for many of its vineyards. The lowlands are ppart of the vast Po Valley that continues into Lombardia from the Veneto and the climate is a mix of continental and Alpine influenced toward the pre-Alps in the north of the region as well as the Appennines. The annual production of Lombardia is approximately 2 Billion bottles of white, red, rose, sparkling and even a little dessert wine. None of its DOCG/DOC wines are houshold names outside of Italy but some are well known to serious Italian wine drinkers. Franciacorta is probably the best known, being Italy's finest Champagne method sparkler but Valtellina with its outstanding red called Sfursat or Sforzato may be the greatest wine of the region. It is made from dried grapes and must attain a minimum abv of 14%, producing an intensely flavored, full bodied wine withoutstanding balance and structure for aging. Franciacorta is made from Pinot Nero, Chardonnay and Pinot Bianco and the finest compete legitimately well with fine Champagne. Franciacorta became a DOC in 1967 and a DOCG in 1995 and the minimum aging requirements are comparable to those of French Champagne. Saten is a creamier style of Franciacorta with a little less fizz at 4 atm and must be made entirely from white grapes. Sfursat is made from the Chiavennasca, the local name for Nebbiolo. Left to dry on the vine for several months, it is very much like Amarone from the Veneto but with the Nebbiolo vibe. Vineyards typically cling to the steep hillsides planted often on terraces with mechanization impossible, so much is dne by hand. The altitude is high, the vineyards planted to maximize sunshine hours but the cooler climate gives the wine fine acid balance. Grapes reach maturity slowly, developing fine tannins and fragrant aromatics. Odd names like Grumello, Sassella, Valgella and Inferno are the names of DOC's that produce wines made from at least 90% Chiavennasca with 10% other approved grapes allowed to complete the blend. Red wines must age for a minimum of two years and Riserva designation requires three. Large format oak is still popularly used but small format barrique used and new are also part of the aging regimen for many wines. Whites are rare but some fine ones are produced from Sauvignon Blanc. The greater production of Lombardian wines are produced under the Oltrepo Pavese DOC which utilizes native varieties like Barbera, Bonarda, Croatina, Uva Rara, Rindinella, Incrocio Terzi and white varieties Moscato, Cortese and Malvasia. But they leverage International varieties like Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, Pinot Nero, Chardonnay, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Sauvigon Blanc, Riesling Renano and Riesling Italico to produce delicious, approachable and balanced wines. The best vineyards are planted on the many hillsides throughout the region and along the hills that surround Lake Garda. Here along Lake Garda is the Lugana DOC and Garda DOC, where delightful whites and fruity reds are produced in volume from either Trebbiano or Riesling Renano, Riesling Italico, Marzemino, Barbera, Sangiovese, Groppello, Garganega, Pinot Bianco, Corvina, Cortese, Friulano and Incrocio Manzoni 6.0.13. The region produces numerous Spumante (sparkling) wines and a few dessert wines made by the passito method.