Preview Tre Bicchieri 2021. The best wines of Lombardy

The best wines of Lombardy

Looking at the numbers, Lombardy is the top region in terms of area dedicated to agriculture, 69% of the territory, with 50 thousand producers working the land. As far as wine is concerned, 22,900 hectares are under vine, with the province of Pavia dominating. Oltrepò Pavese alone produces 65% of the region's wine. The portrait that emerges from our tastings? An extremely positive one, vital even, starting with the number of Tre Bicchieri awarded: 27 (an absolute record). Lombardy once again demonstrates its prowess for bubbly. It is, by far, the Italian region with the most award-winning sparkling wines, all made using the 'Metodo Classico'. Franciacorta took home 10 Tre Bicchieri, demonstrating an increasingly evident solidity; the appellation is doing very well, both in terms of sustainability (it's almost entirely managed organically), and in terms of quality. The use of sugar is increasingly limited, while its cuvées are acquiring greater definition and character, with Pinot Nero making its way into a role occupied historically by Chardonnay.

Typical varieties

And speaking of the most difficult grape variety in the world, Oltrepò's Pinot Nero Metodo Classicos landed 5 Tre Bicchieri. In the glass there's character, gustatory tension, all the freshness of the Upper Versa Valley, an area where acidity and flavor go hand in hand. The area's other Tre Bicchieri come from the red wine sector, with a fine Pinot Nero, a powerful Buttafuoco Storico and an Oltrepò Pavese Rosso that bears the name of its vineyard, Bruno Verdi's Cavariola. Lugana also put in another characterful performance. It's a terroir that has now reached full maturity, with 3 wines awarded in our guide this year, and many more appreciated all over the world. If we move a few kilometers, to Valtènesi, we find a rosè that's gaining new momentum. Chiaretto, the so-called 'one night wine', can age with extraordinary grace and complexity, as demonstrated by Mattia Vezzola's Molmenti, made with Groppello grapes. Completing the line-up of Tre Bicchieri are 5 gems from Valtellina: Ar.Pe.Pe, Fay, Dirupi, Mamete Prevostini and Nino Negri. Theses producers capture the breath of the Alps in the bottle.

• ‘More Pas Dosé M. Cl. – Castello di Cigognola
• Franciacorta Brut Eronero ’12 – Ferghettina
• Franciacorta Brut Secolo Novo ’12 – Le Marchesine
• Franciacorta Dosage Zéro ’11  – Castello Bonomi
• Franciacorta Dosage Zéro Naturae ’16 – Barone Pizzini
• Franciacorta Dosage Zéro Vintage Collection Noir ’11 – Ca’ del Bosco
• Franciacorta Dosaggio Zero Ris. ’13 – Lo Sparviere
• Franciacorta Extra Brut ’15 – Ricci Curbastro
• Franciacorta Extra Brut EBB ’15 – Mosnel
• Franciacorta Extra Brut Extreme Palazzo Lana Ris. ’09 – Guido Berlucchi & C.
• Franciacorta Non Dosato Grande Cuvée Alma – Bellavista
• Lugana Fabio Contato Ris. ’18 – Cà Maiol
• Lugana Madreperla Ris. ’18 – Perla del Garda
• Lugana Menasasso Ris. ’16 – Selva Capuzza
• Nature M. Cl. – Monsupello
• OP Buttafuoco Storico V. Solenga ’16 – Fiamberti
• OP M. Cl. Extra Brut Rosé NorEma ’17 – Calatroni
• OP Pinot Nero Brut M. Cl. 1870 ’16 – Giorgi
• OP Pinot Nero Dosaggio Zero Farfalla Cave Privée ’11 – Ballabio
• OP Pinot Nero Pernice ’17 – Conte Vistarino
• OP Rosso Cavariola Ris. ’16 – Bruno Verdi
• Valtellina Sforzato Corte di Cama ’18 – Mamete Prevostini
• Valtellina Sfursat 5 Stelle ’17 – Nino Negri
• Valtellina Sup. Grumello Ris. ’17 – Dirupi
• Valtellina Sup. Sassella Nuova Regina Ris. ’13 – Ar.Pe.Pe
• Valtellina Sup. Valgella Carterìa Ris. ’16 – Sandro Fay
• Valtènesi Chiaretto Molmenti ’17 – Costaripa