Celebrate Valentine's day early and join us for this special edition of 'from the cellar' on Thursday, February 13th, at 6:30pm. We will explore the Northern Province of Lombardia, home to Milano and well-known Champagne-style sparkling wines!
The Ancient Greek playwriter, Euripides, once stated, “Where there is no wine there is no love”. For this upcoming Valentine’s Holiday, we will be serving up plenty of wine from a region in Italy that’s doesn’t get as much recognition as it deserves!
Sparkling wines will, of course, be on the menu, but we want to share the love and dive into the other great wines of the region, namely Valtellina. We will have a beautiful regional food pairing to accompany these delicious wines, so come and enjoy the love.
Lombardy Growing Area
The history of winemaking in Lombardia (Lombardy) starts long before the Ancient Romans. Milan has been a marketplace for wine producers since medieval times. Nowadays, many wineries are located in converted monasteries, which combines their expertise and history.
Located at the heart of northern Italy, Lombardy is entirely landlocked, bordered by Piedmont to the west, Emilia-Romagna to the south and Veneto to the west. The vines have been cultivated around the shores of Lake Garda for centuries. The region's climate is varied due to the diverse terrain, but is generally considered a ‘cool’ continental climate.
While the region is very industrial, with its bustling center Milano, small production wines and artisanal traditions have continued in surprising pockets of beautiful unspoiled wine country.
The Wines of Lombardia
Protected appellations of the area include Franciacorta (Italy’s best bubbly), Valtellina Superiore (high altitude wines) and Sforzato di Valtellina. Some famous DOCs here include Lugana and Garda, while lesser-known DOCs include Botticino, Moscato di Scanzo and Valcalepio, and Oltrepò Pavese.
For the sparkling wine lovers, the Franciacorta is a more premium and more expensive version of the easy-going Prosecco. Many of the wineries have preserved their authenticity and in all of them, you will see the “Pupitres” with the upside-down bottles of Franciacorta waiting to be “riddled” by the cellarmaster.
Valtellina occupies the far north of the province, and produces the best and most powerful red wines from Lombardia. The main grape cultivated is the Chiavennasca, the equivalent of the Nebbiolo in Piemonte. The vineyards are completely unique as they are located on extremely steep hillsides and terraced.
Tasting Notes
Franciacorta (sparkling): similar to French Champagne, with great balance, intense aromas and fine bubbles. With aromas of cinnamon and baked apple, as well as dark brioche and walnuts, but with a nice acidity.
Valtellina Superiore (red): beautiful orangish-garnet color indicative of the Nebbiolo grape and earthy and floral aroma similar to Barolo and Barbaresco. The wine is light-bodied, recalling Pinot Noir. Aromas and flavors of cherry-rhubarb transition to raspberry-plum, herb and roses.
Thursday, February 13th at 6:30pm $125.00 all-inclusive (must be 21 to attend)
Join us for another curated dinner, paired with our favorite selection of wines!
To buy your tickets, click here.