Region: Lombardia
History: Established in 1995
Vineyard Area: 4,814 ha / 11,890 acres (2013, V)
Production: 352,500 hl (total 2013/14, V); avg. 4,361,000 cases bottled annually
Principal White Grape Varieties: Chardonnay, Cortese, Malvasia, Moscato, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Bianco, Pinot Grigio, Riesling, Sauvignon Blanc, Timorasso, Welschriesling (Riesling Italico)
Principal Red Grape Varieties: Barbera, Bonarda, Cabernet Sauvignon, Croatina, Dolcetto, Freisa, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, Syrah, Uva Rara, Vespolina
Styles and Wine Composition:
WHITE WINES
- Bianco (Wh, WhFr, WhSw, WhFrSw): Any proportions of grape varieties approved for the region of Lombardia
- Varietals (Wh, WhFr): Minimum 85% Chardonnay, Cortese, Müller-Thurgau, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero (vinified as a white wine), or Sauvignon Blanc + OAG
- Varietals (Wh, WhFr, WhSw, WhFrSw): Minimum 85% Malvasia, Moscato, or Riesling + OAG
ROSATO WINES
- Rosato (Ro, RoFr, RoSw, RoFrSw): Any proportions of red grape varieties approved for the region of Lombardia
- Varietals (Ro, RoFr): Minimum 85% Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Freisa, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Grigio, Pinot Nero, Uva Rara, or Vespolina + OAG
- Croatina (Ro, RoFr, RoSw, RoFrSw): Minimum 85% Croatina + OAG
RED WINES
- Rosso (Rd, RdFr, RdSw, RdFrSw): Any proportions of red grape varieties approved for the region of Lombardia
- Varietals (Rd, RdFr): Minimum 85% Barbera, Cabernet Sauvignon, Dolcetto, Freisa, Merlot, Nebbiolo, Pinot Nero, Uva Rara, or Vespolina + OAG
- Croatina (Rd, RdFr, RdSw, RdFrSw): Minimum 85% Croatina + OAG
- Novello (Rosso, red varietals)
DESSERT AND SPECIALTY WINES
- Bianco Passito (WhSw): Same as Bianco or varietal Malvasia, Moscato, or Riesling
- Rosso Passito (RdSw): Same as Rosso or varietal Croatina
Significant Production Rules:
- Zone of production: Numerous communes in the province of Pavia
- Moscato cannot exceed 1.8 atmospheres of pressure
- Minimum alcohol level: 9.0% for all wines except 4.5% for Moscato (9.0% potential), 11.0% for Novello, and 12.0% for Passito (15.0% potential)
- Aging: No minimums specified